"Unveiling the Hidden: Insights from Individuals with Compulsive Hoarding Disorder"
In a groundbreaking development, Stanford's Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez is testing a virtual reality intervention for hoarding disorder treatment. This innovative approach is part of the "Buried in Treasures" group treatment program, based on a book of the same name by David Tolin, Randy Frost, and Gail Steketee.
Hoarding disorder, characterized by excessive accumulation of possessions and difficulty in disposing of them, affects around 14 million Americans and similar rates across other Western countries. According to Lee Shuer, a certified peer specialist and hoarding disorder expert, most people affected by hoarding are trying "to be a good person, not a bad person."
Shuer, who believes that by the end of the course, people often feel hopeful and that for the first time they have a chance at recovery, describes hoarding as "intention without opportunity." He suggests that most of those with the condition are well-intentioned and plan to use the stuff for good, though often it doesn't work out that way.
In the virtual reality intervention, participants navigate their way around their cluttered rooms using VR headsets and handheld controllers, practice letting go of items, and process the emotions of it. This immersive experience aims to provide a safe and controlled environment for individuals to confront their hoarding tendencies and take steps towards recovery.
The success of the "Buried in Treasures" program comes down to the social interaction with their peers, which enables people to open up in a reassuringly safe environment. Sophia, who runs a Facebook group with Kim for people with hoarding disorder, first realized she had a hoarding problem at graduate school after a close relative was diagnosed with a severe mental illness. Sophia has tried various therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), while leaning into the Facebook group for support.
Kim, a 53-year-old woman, runs a Facebook support group for 2,100 people with hoarding disorder. She only sought help when things became unsafe, as the stuff started piling up and narrowing paths, causing tripping hazards. Kim's focus is on hoarding books, having given away many boxes after extensive therapy, including 500 Dr. Phil books.
Common treatments for hoarding disorder are primarily psychological, focusing on changing the thoughts and behaviors related to hoarding. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Skills Training, and medication. Virtual or online therapy can also be effective in managing hoarding disorder by providing guidance and strategies remotely.
Hoarding can trigger countless complications, including making bathrooms and kitchens unusable, threatening eviction leading to homelessness, and posing a serious fire hazard. Two-thirds of people with hoarding disorder have at least one other psychiatric condition, and physical comorbidities such as arthritis and diabetes are common. The World Health Organization categorized hoarding disorder as a mental health condition in 2018.
Heather Matuozzo, the founder of Clouds End, believes the pandemic led to an increase in prevalence of hoarding disorders. As we continue to battle this condition, innovative treatments like the virtual reality intervention offer a glimmer of hope for those struggling with hoarding disorder.
The virtual reality intervention, part of the health-and-wellness program "Buried in Treasures," combines science and technology to support individuals managing hoarding disorder. Presently, the success of such treatments lies not only in the innovative use of virtual reality but also in the mental health benefits provided by support groups, like the one run by Sophia and Kim on Facebook.
