HOARDING…
“Can represent a serious psychiatric problem and pose a threat to public health” (Pertusa, Frost, Mataix-Colis, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2010)
“Is a disabling psychological disorder” (Grisham, Norbert, Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2010)
“Is a chronic and debilitating condition that represents a significant public health concern” (Gilliam, Tolin, Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic, 2010)
“Is highly prevalent and, when severe, it is associated with substantial functional disability and represents a great burden for the sufferers, their families, and society in general” (Pertusa, Frost, Fullana, Samuels, Steketee, Tolin, Saxena, Leckman, Matax-Colis, Clinical Psychology Review, 2010)
“Is a progressive and chronic condition that begins early in life. Left untreated, its severity increases with age” (Ayers, Saxena, Golshan, Wetherell, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2010)
“Within the elderly population is particularly important because, as a form of self-neglect, it creates unique dangers and challenges specific to elders, their families, neighbors, and social service professionals” (National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) e-news Volume 13 No. 1-2, July-August 2010)
Hoarding is a multifaceted, complex problem. Hoarding that comes to the attention of public authorities can be an issue with mental, environmental, public health, medical, public safety, legal, housing, and financial implications. Hoarding, particularly when it results in safety and health hazards, is difficult to address and resolve successfully through the efforts of any single agency or organization.
Hoarding situations that come to the attention of public authorities…
“often require intensive, lengthy, costly and complex responses. Given that a large number of community, agency, familial and individual resources are bought to bear on any single case of hoarding, it is critically important that those who encounter hoarding respond strategically. A coordinated plan of intervention that maximizes resources across agencies is likely to achieve the best possible result for the person who hoards and those affected by the problem.” (Bratiotis, et al., The Hoarding Handbook: A Guide for Human Service Professionals, Oxford University Press, in publication)
Compulsive Hoarding has been defined as:
- The acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value.
- Living or work spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were designed.
- Significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding behavior.(Frost & Hartl, 1996)
ANIMAL HOARDING…
“Is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns” (ASPCA Website)
Animal Hoarding has been defined as:
- Failure to provide minimal standards of sanitation, space, nutrition, and veterinary care for the animals
- Inability to recognize the effects of this failure on the welfare of the animals, human members of the household, and the environment
- Obsessive attempts to accumulate or maintain a collection of animals in the face of progressively deteriorating conditions
- Denial or minimization of problems and living conditions for people and animals (Patronek, et al., 2004)