Boston Univ/Smith College Consortium Newsletter, Hoarding Updates, 2007
"One recent analysis from this study has been to learn more about the association
between hoarding and other disorders. Although many people consider hoarding to be
a form of OCD, this classification is not certain.      
Our analyses have shown that 17% of people who hoard
also have OCD. This is a high number; however, the fact that most people who hoard show no signs
of OCD whatsoever raises questions about whether hoarding is really a subtype of OCD.
We also found that 57% of people who hoard meet criteria for major depressive disorder,
28% meet criteria for generalized anxiety disorder, and 29% meet criteria for social phobia.
When we examined differences between hoarding participants with and without generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD), we found that people with hoarding + GAD demonstrated more severe
hoarding symptoms, hoarding beliefs, and symptoms of anxiety and depression than did
people with hoarding but no GAD. This research will continue for the next two years.
http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/PSYCH/rfrost/NEHC_Newsletter_April_2007.pdf

Hoarding Behavior: Another Perspective
By Suzanne Phillips, Psy.D., ABPPy 
"What if hoarding behavior was actually a response to Trauma? The findings of a recent study  
reported in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders indicate that hoarding may not always be a symptom 
of obsessive compulsive disorder. Rather, it may be a separate disorder that results from the
experience of trauma and stressful life events.... What would this mean?....It means we may be
expanding our understanding of hoarding in a way that makes meaning to some trapped in this
behavior, reduces shame, justifies help and even informs treatment options....Much as know that
the stress reactions of  trauma i.e. the  symptoms of  hyperarousal, the intrusive images and flashbacks,
and the numbing and constriction reflect  a persistent survival response despite the fact that the danger
has passed, hoarding behavior may represent an excessive need to guard against the loss inherent in
traumatic events.                                                                            
http://blogs.psychcentral.com/healing-together/2011/06/hoarding-behavior-another-perspective/

Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE)
Selected Annotated Bibliography:
Compulsive Hoarding - A Form of Self-Neglect
(1995-2005)
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Library/CANE/CANE_Series/CANE_hoarding.aspx


Research Abstracts OCD Foundation
http://www.ocfoundation.info/hoarding/research-digest.php
http://www.ocfoundation.info/hoarding/research-articles/compulsive-hoarding-current-status-research.php


WORKING WITH THE OLDER ADULT

Community Tenure of Older, Adults Who Hoard:
Identifying Risks and Enhancing Opportunities May 2007
The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, Office of Aging and Long Term Care
http://www.oaltc.ku.edu/Reports/Final%20Report%20053107.pdf

Cornell University and
New York City Task Force on Hoarding
Task force gathered information – great site includes:
Assessment Tool ( the NSGCD cluttering and hoarding scale above is more complete)
Best Practices Decluttering tips
Best Practices Hoarding and Dementia
Bldg Code Violations including exits, Bathrooms, Kitchens and General problems
2004 Conference
http://www.cornellaging.com/gem/hoa_nyc_hoa_tas.html?name1=NYC+Hoarding+Task+Force&type1=2Active

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS for Professionals and Others