hoarding disorder
noun
: a psychological disorder characterized by the persistent accumulation of a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others and by the inability to discard such items without great distress
Note: The accumulation and clutter of items that occur in hoarding disorder lead to significant obstruction and congestion of living areas.
Many people with hoarding disorder benefit significantly from cognitive behavioral therapy, in which a therapist helps reduce clutter and prevent future hoarding.—
Robert Ashley
Robert AshleyThe problem with detecting hoarding disorder is the extremely long time-frame in which it manifests. A person may have traits of the disorder early in life, but functional impairment may take a long time to show up.—Anne Halliwell
Anne HalliwellBesides dementia, hoarding disorder is the only mental health disorder that increases in severity and prevalence with age …—Emily Gurnon
Emily GurnonExamples of hoarding disorder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Around 14 million Americans are affected by hoarding disorder, with similar rates across other Western countries.
—Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Do your research and find a compassionate local counselor who specializes in hoarding disorder and work with them to stage an intervention for your mother.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
For additional resources and information on hoarding disorder, visit the International OCD Foundation website.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
The traditional model behind hoarding disorder suggests that difficulty with discarding comes from distress during decision-making.
—Mary E. Dozier, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Pennsylvania's outgoing senator, Bob Casey, has advocated for more education and technical assistance for hoarding disorder.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
There are no medications approved to treat hoarding disorder.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 15 July 2024
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Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2025
Do your research and find a compassionate local counselor who specializes in hoarding disorder and work with them to stage an intervention for your mother.
—Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2025
For additional resources and information on hoarding disorder, visit the International OCD Foundation website.
—Mary E. Dozier, CNN, 16 Mar. 2025
The traditional model behind hoarding disorder suggests that difficulty with discarding comes from distress during decision-making.
—Mary E. Dozier, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Pennsylvania's outgoing senator, Bob Casey, has advocated for more education and technical assistance for hoarding disorder.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 30 Dec. 2024
There are no medications approved to treat hoarding disorder.
—Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 15 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Hoarding disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hoarding%20disorder. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
hoarding disorder
noun
: a psychological disorder characterized by the persistent accumulation of a variety of items that are often considered useless or worthless by others and by the inability to discard such items without great distress regardless of their value
Note: The accumulation and clutter of items that occur in hoarding disorder lead to significant obstruction and congestion of living areas.
The problem with detecting hoarding disorder is the extremely long time-frame in which it manifests. A person may have traits of the disorder early in life, but functional impairment may take a long time to show up.—Anne Halliwel
Anne HalliwelMany people with hoarding disorder benefit significantly from cognitive behavioral therapy, in which a therapist helps reduce clutter and prevent future hoarding.—Robert Ashley
Robert AshleyBesides dementia, hoarding disorder is the only mental health disorder that increases in severity and prevalence with age …—Emily Gurnon
Emily GurnonLove words? Need even more definitions?
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