The New York Times featured a story, "When Clutter Becomes an Illness," on New Year’s Eve 2003. It began: "The cases never cease to fascinate: reclusive people trapped by their own accumulations, in rooms made unlivable by floor to ceiling heaps of newspapers, books and saved objects—from twist ties to grand pianos." In 2002 a group of legal, medical and social services providers established New York City’s Task Force on Hoarding. According to the Times, a dozen such task forces exist around the country.

Six weeks ago, Tucsonans became acquainted with Fannie Claussen, an elderly local woman with a compulsion to hoard—everything. Local media alerted our community that Ms. Claussen could no longer reside in her home as city inspectors found it too trash-filled and dangerous. A local church group intervened on Ms. Claussen’s behalf and undertook a mammoth cleaning operation to make the home livable. (See "Bless Fannie’s Mess No More," Arizona Daily Star, June 27, 2004)

Research on hoarding behavior has increased in recent years. While hoarding patterns may be in some ways learned or environmentally influenced, there is growing evidence that hoarding behavior is genetically based. For whatever reason, those who hoard have an extremely difficult time making decisions and are often unable to organize belongings in any fashion.

I n the case of an elderly person who has hoarded for many decades, the accumulations are more difficult to hide and often come to the attention of adult children, neighbors, public health officials and/or mental health case managers. The LA County Department of Mental Health, Older Adults Services Division, publishes a hoarding "Fact Sheet" that offers advice for those dealing with an elderly friend or loved one who hoards, available online at www.la4seniors.com/hoarding.htm. According to the Department, hasty intervention in the life of one who hoards may have a negative result. Intervention should be well-planned, collaborative, and humane.

A significant percentage of people who hoard are diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Although OCD sufferers are frequently treated with psychotropic medications, these tend not to be effective for hoarding. Some type of behavior therapy has proven to be most effective in those who want to change hoarding patterns.

Court intervention is occasionally sought as a way to deal with hoarding behavior. Unfortunately, the legal system is not well-equipped to deal with the hoarding problem. Negotiation, backed by the realization that guardianship or conservatorship proceedings might be instituted, may be a better approach to hoarders.

As the problem of hoarding becomes more widespread, at least anecdotally, and more people's lives are affected, information about hoarding behaviors has also become more accessible. For more information on the condition, the types of things that people hoard, and some of the reasons given for hoarding behavior, consider the Understanding Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder site, at http://understanding_ocd.tripod.com/hoarding1_why.html. 

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