ADHD linked to hoarding behavior
As many asin 5 adults with ADHD could have significant hoarding
symptoms

Date:
February 25, 2022
Source:
Anglia Ruskin University
Summary:
New research has found that people with Attention
Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely
to also exhibit hoarding behaviors, which can have a serious impact
on their quality of life.



FULL STORY ==========================================================================
New research has found that people with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are significantly more likely to also exhibit hoarding behaviours, which can have a serious impact on their quality of life.


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The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Researchand funded
by theBritish Academy and the Leverhulme Trust, found that almost one in
five people with ADHD exhibited clinically significant levels of hoarding, indicating there could be a hidden population of adults struggling with hoarding and its consequences.

Hoarding Disorder is a recognised condition that involves excessive accumulation, difficulties discarding and excessive clutter. The disorder
can lead to distress or difficulties in everyday life and can contribute
to depression and anxiety.

Previous research into Hoarding Disorder has mainly focused on older
females who self-identify as hoarders and have sought help later in
life. This new study, led by Dr Sharon Morein of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), recruited 88 participants from an adult ADHD clinic run by the
Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust.

The study found that 19% of this ADHD group displayed clinically
significant hoarding symptoms, were on average in their 30s, and there
was an equal gender split. Amongst the remaining 81%, the researchers
found greater hoarding severity, but not to a degree that significantly impaired their lives, compared to the study's control group.

The researchers asked the same questions, about ADHD symptoms and
impulsivity, levels of hoarding and clutter, obsessive compulsive
severity, perfectionism, depression and anxiety, and everyday function,
on a closely-matched group of 90 adults from the general population,
without an ADHD diagnosis, and found only 2% of this control group
exhibited clinically significant hoarding symptoms.

They then replicated this with a larger online sample of 220 UK adults
to see if similar patterns were found, and similarly only 3% of this
group exhibited symptoms.

Dr Morein, Associate Professor in Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University
(ARU), said: "Hoarding Disorder is much more than simply collecting too
many possessions. People with diagnosed Hoarding Disorder have filled
their living areas with so many items and clutter that it impacts their day-to-day functioning leading to a poorer quality of life, anxiety,
and depression.

"Overall, we found that people who had been diagnosed with ADHD had a
higher likelihood of also having hoarding symptoms. This is important
because it demonstrates that hoarding doesn't just affect people later
in life, who are typically the focus of much of the research so far into Hoarding Disorder.

"Our findings also indicate that Hoarding Disorder should be routinely
assessed in individuals with ADHD, as they do not typically disclose
associated difficulties despite these potentially impairing their
everyday lives.

Likewise, it is possible that many people who are currently being treated
for Hoarding Disorder might also have undiagnosed ADHD.

"Greater awareness amongst clinicians and people with ADHD about
the link between ADHD and hoarding could also lead to more effective
long-term management, as hoarding often gradually worsens with time."
special promotion Explore the latest scientific research on sleep and
dreams in this free online course from New Scientist -- Sign_up_now_>>> ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by Anglia_Ruskin_University. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Sharon Morein-Zamir, Michael Kasese, Samuel R. Chamberlain,
Estherina
Trachtenberg. Elevated levels of hoarding in ADHD: A special link
with inattention. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2022; 145:
167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.024 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220225135652.htm

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