A huge closet full of clothes. An endless array of shoes. Multiple pets. In popular culture, it’s common to accuse women of “hoarding” certain types of objects. While oftentimes the female “pack rat” image is merely a joke, there are many instances in which the behavior indicates a serious disorder. Compulsive hoarding, which is often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is a complex mental illness that affects an estimated 4% of the population.[1] For those women who hoard – and the people who love them – the behavior can have profound negative effects. The consequences of hoarding range from the loneliness and isolation that stem from being deeply ashamed of the behavior to the serious health risks of living in an unsanitary home. If you or a woman in your life is suffering from compulsive hoarding, it’s not a problem to be ignored. Just ask Bill Scheibe, whose elderly mother – a compulsive hoarder – was found buried earlier this year under a literal pile of garbage inside her home. He alerted the authorities when no one had seen her for a few weeks. According to the news story in the Chicago Tribune on February 15th, the decomposing body of Margareta Scheibe was located by emergency workers who had been searching her home for 3 days. Dressed in Hazmat suits, they had a difficult time finding her body. This was due to the extensive amount of garbage and other items that filled her entire house. Like many women who hoard, Mrs. Scheibe’s husband had helped keep the home livable. Sadly, her hoarding behavior gradually spiraled out of control after he suffered a stroke several years before he died in 2010.[2]

Hoarding Differences between Men and Women

Studies have revealed several differences between men and women when it comes to hoarding. Despite all the news and TV stories about female hoarders, men are actually more likely to hoard than women, with the numbers being nearly twice as high for men.[3][4] Males also tend to start at a younger age than their female counterparts. Young girls often start hoarding things like old school items or clothing. The progression can be slow for both genders, ratcheting up over years or even decades. However, some women start hoarding after a stressful, life-changing event. These are events such as the breakup of a marriage, the death of a loved one, or a serious illness. While hoarding often co-occurs with other psychiatric disorders, those co-existing conditions tend to be different in women than in men. Women who hoard, for example, are more likely to also have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), social anxiety disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder. Male hoarders, on the other hand, are more likely to suffer from generalized anxiety disorder.[3] There’s another important difference between hoarding in men and women – women are more likely to seek and accept help for their behavior. That can be a hopeful sign if your mom, wife, or daughter struggles with hoarding.

Older Women and Animal Hoarding

We’ve all seen the news stories: local officials confiscate 50 cats from a woman’s home. Many of us have even chuckled at “cat lady” jokes. While the image of the old lady with more cats than she can count seems to be a stereotype, there is research that suggests older women are, in fact, more likely to hoard animals. One study of animal hoarders found that most people who hoard animals are women, and nearly half are over the age of 60. In addition, more than 50% of them lived alone.[4] The serious problems with animal hoarding involve more than simply owning a large number of cats, dogs, or other pets. In many cases, the animals are sick or malnourished. This may be due at least in part to neglect and overcrowded conditions. Homes of animal hoarders are often very unsanitary and may contain pet waste, decaying food, and, in severe cases, dead animals. Also, despite the often squalid conditions, up to one-fourth of animal hoarding cases involve people who claim they’re rescuing the animals.[5] The hoarders may see themselves as the animals’ savior or only hope of survival. Women who compulsively hoard don’t always focus on animals. Like men, they can accumulate items they regard as “treasures,” or things they view as too valuable to throw away. Others start hoarding out of a practical mindset; for example, they might say “I don’t need that book today, but I might need it tomorrow.” Regardless of what items you or a loved one hoards, if it’s making life difficult, it’s time to seek professional help from a mental health professional.

Treatment

Hoarding is a complex condition with devastating effects. Treatment is available, and may include one or more of the following:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on identifying the specific thought patterns and behaviors that lead to and perpetuate hoarding behavior. Once the maladaptive patterns are identified, a skilled therapist can help you make positive changes that help reduce and eliminate the behavior. Recovering hoarders will also learn decision-making and organizational skills so they can make reasonable decisions moving forward. Unfortunately, hoarding is a very challenging condition to treat, and therapy isn’t always effective. This is why it’s crucial to work with a mental health professional with experience in treating this difficult disorder.

Medication assisted treatment : Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are sometimes used as part of the treatment for hoarding. However, prescription drugs aren’t always beneficial. Doctors use these most often in conjunction with therapy.

Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are sometimes used as part of the treatment for hoarding. However, prescription drugs aren’t always beneficial. Doctors use these most often in conjunction with therapy. Treatment for additional disorders: Since women who hoard often suffer from other disorders, like social phobia, OCD, or PTSD, it’s important that any co-existing disorders be treated as well.

Since women who hoard often suffer from other disorders, like social phobia, OCD, or PTSD, it’s important that any co-existing disorders be treated as well. Clean up: Cleaning up the home is an essential part of treatment, although it may be met with fierce resistance. While family and friends often have the urge to clean out the house in one fell swoop, it may be more helpful to take baby steps. For instance, you might start by cleaning out a bathroom to allow for good personal hygiene or a kitchen to create a safe food prep environment. Critical repairs will also be a priority since it’s common for hoarders to neglect essential home maintenance, like fixing broken floorboards. Your treatment provider can help devise the best clean-up strategy, which may include using a professional organizer.

If you or a loved one is a compulsive hoarder you know just how serious this condition can become. That clutter, whether it comes from cats or trash, smothers lives and relationships. But professional help can guide a hoarder out from under the pile and into the light of living again. If you or a loved one is struggling with compulsive hoarding, we can help. Addressing the issue is only the beginning. It is important to seek out professional help to ensure that you can break away from hoarding. Call 1.713.528.3709 today to talk to one of our experts and make an appointment.