As I sorted through boxes inherited from my grandparents, one item stood out – a solitary puzzle piece reflecting my late grandmother’s love of puzzles. My experience led me to ponder the question “why did I keep this?” – a query often asked by patients with hoarding disorder.
Hoarding disorder is characterized by an urge to save items and difficulty discarding possessions. However, research suggests that age-related changes in executive function may contribute to its prevalence among older adults. Traditional models suggest that distress during decision-making drives hoarding behavior, but my research indicates this might be less true for those 60 and above.
A study I conducted found that participants who were older tended to feel less stressed when making decisions about keeping or discarding items. In fact, many reported positive emotions while sorting through their belongings. This contradicts the traditional model of hoarding disorder as a solely distress-driven behavior.
My team’s subsequent research reveals that altruism – the desire to help others – may explain why some people keep items that others might discard. We found that participants with hoarding disorder scored high on altruism, often stating they kept items out of a sense of responsibility or duty.
To effectively declutter, it’s essential to focus on values-based decision-making. By identifying and prioritizing core values such as family, faith, or utility, individuals can create a framework for sorting through possessions. My research demonstrates that taking a values-based approach helps older adults decrease clutter, increase positive affect, and maintain motivation.
Clinicians can use motivational interviewing techniques to guide participants in this process. By eliciting reasons for discarding items and aligning them with long-term goals, individuals can find the emotional closure they need to let go of possessions.
For those struggling with hoarding disorder, consider these practical steps:
* Start by writing out your core values
* Define value-consistent goals for using your space
* Be mindful of conflicting values – ask yourself if keeping or discarding an object will align with your long-term goals
* Maintain a curious, nonjudgmental attitude when helping loved ones declutter
By understanding the role of altruism and values in hoarding disorder, we can develop more effective strategies for decluttering and finding emotional closure.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/a-psychologist-explains-a-simple-technique-to-declutter