Hi,
I’m really sorry to hear about your recent difficulties in moving out and having to part with a number of your possessions. This is an experience that many people with hoarding go through and it can be really tough. It’s great to hear that you are actively thinking about resources moving forward to help you with this problem and there is definite hope for feeling better.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for hoarding can be very helpful with examining beliefs surrounding the saving of and difficulties in parting with items. It can also help in identifying and tackling common issues that are often related to hoarding, including problems with sustaining attention, sorting and categorizing possessions and organizing items in your home. There are a number of individual therapists in the Boston area who provide CBT for hoarding, to find one go to the International OCD Foundation website under Find a Therapist, http://www.ocfoundation.org/treatment_providers.aspx
In answer to your questions about attention difficulties and hoarding symptoms, there has
been research to suggest that the two often co-occur.
I will defer to Dr. Jenike regarding the medication question as he has expertise in this area.
Best wishes going forward!
Jessica Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Fellow
OCD and Related Disorders Clinic
Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Jenike’s response:
“In my experience, hoarding does not respond much to medication. CBT is the most effective approach. However, many hoarders get depressed and this gets in the way of treatment and cuts down enjoyment of life. The depression does seem to respond to antidepressants. Best wishes,
Michael Jenike, MD”
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