How Can Someone with Hoarding Disorder Help Themselves?

Lynne M. Drummond; Laura J. Edwards

doi:10.1017/9781009466134.011

10 - How Can Someone with Hoarding Disorder Help Themselves?

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 April 2025

Lynne M. Drummond and

Laura J. Edwards

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Lynne M. Drummond: Affiliation:
South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust

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Summary

In this chapter we examine how people with Hoarding disorder can help themselves. This is not a “quick fix” and does take time, commitment, and courage to face up to your problems. We will start by looking at how a ban on new items coming into the property is the first “golden rule” of treatment. We will examine how it can be useful but not essential to have a friend or family member also involved in the process. The principles of discarding objects are discussed with the idea of holding on to objects for the shortest time possible, making an immediate decision and then sticking with it and not going back on that decision. Finally, we will then list helpful resources and groups who may be able to assist you.

Keywords

Hoarding Hoarding Disorder Self-help Compassion Discarding rewards

Type: Chapter
Information: Everything You Need to Know About Hoarding , pp. 145 - 164

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009466134.011 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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References

Tolin, DAVID, Frost, Randy O., and Steketee, Gail ( 2007 ) Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. This is a self-help book which is divided into three sections which focus on different aspects of hoarding, viz. an introduction to hoarding; practical steps to help declutter; and finally how to remain “on track”.Google Scholar

Frost, Randy O. and Steketee, Gail ( 2010 ) Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things. New York, NY: Houghton-Mifflin Harcourt. A self-help book aimed at better understanding some of the psychology of hoarding.Google Scholar

Steketee, Gail and Bratiotis, Christina ( 2020 ) Hoarding: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. This is a book aiming to describe and help the individual better understand hoarding and its treatment. This book may be particularly useful to a lay audience who deal with hoarding in their professional life, for example, firefighters, social workers, and housing officers.CrossRef Google Scholar

Singh, Satwant, Hooper, Margaret and Jones, Colin ( 2015 ) Overcoming Hoarding: A Self-Help Guide Using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques. London: Robinson. This book is part of the “Overcoming” series which publishes self-help books in the UK for predominantly a UK market. Many of these titles have been placed on the “Reading well” scheme.Google Scholar

Zasio, Robin ( 2011 ) The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life. New York, NY: Random House Press. This is a self-help book written by a psychologist following his appearance on a US TV programme about hoarding.Google Scholar

Harrison, Milton ( 2020 ) Hoarding Disorder Help: 15 Minimalist Steps to Help You Declutter. Texas: Tower LLC. This book is written by a New-York-based author who has also released books on drug abuse and anxiety. This was primarily released as an audio book.Google Scholar

Cooke, Jo ( 2021 ) Understanding Hoarding: Reclaim Your Space and Your Life. London: Sheldon Press. Written by an individual who has worked for various charities and as a civil servant and who supports people affected by hoarding. She is not a clinician. This is a practical book written by someone who has used her personal experience to help others.Google Scholar

Cochran, Laura ( 2021 ) A–Z of Hoarding: The 7 Reasons People Hoard. Create Space Independent Publishing Platform.Google Scholar

This is a book written by someone with experience of hoarding, having grown up in a household with a hoarding parent and having married a hoarder. It is a book which gives advice born from experience.Google Scholar

Nardo, Pei ( 2021 ) Hoarding Disorder: Recognizing and Understanding Hoarding Disorders: What Hoarding is. Self-Published. This book takes a personal perspective on hoarding and refers to a person who has personal experience of hoarding.Google Scholar