Hoarding Disorder and Landlords: The Definition

Hoarding disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This can lead to the accumulation of excessive amounts of belongings in the home, to the point where it interferes with daily living.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a reference book used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders.

The DSM-5 defines hoarding disorder as having the following symptoms:

➔ Difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a strong perceived need to save them and a perceived distress associated with discarding them.

➔ The difficulty discarding possessions results in the accumulation of possessions that congest and clutter active living areas and substantially interfere with their intended use (e.g., the inability to prepare meals in the kitchen, inability to sleep in the bedroom).

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder:

➔ Difficulty getting rid of or parting with possessions
➔ Excessive clutter in the home
➔ Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning due to the hoarding

[lethabrooks]

Hoarders are landlord's worst nightmare! Once had a hoarder and had to evict her.