Hoarding Disorder: what causes it?

Image Credits: Created by Maria Migalko and posted on ArtStation. All Credits to the creator. I don't own this image.

So we've explored what Hoarding Disorder is, but what causes it? As with any neurospychiatric condition, there is usually some contribution of nature (biology), and nurture (environmental factors). This could include genetics—often many different genes contribute tiny amounts to developing a condition—differences in brain functioning (including in brain development, brain lesions, the impact of stroke/surgery/brain injury/ infection; imbalances in chemical messengers called neurotransmitters), and stressful life events according to an article by Mayo Clinic and MedicineNet. There isn't usually a single cause and researchers are still trying to narrow down what potential causal factors could be.

Moreover, the article suggests that Hoarding usually starts when you're in your pre-teen to teenage years—between 11-15 years old—and this trajectory worsens as you grown older. It is more frequently seen in older adults which suggests age is a risk factor: you're more likely to have it if you're older but age itself doesn't "cause" you to develop it.

Other risk factors include having: (a) trouble making decisions, (b) family members with Hoarding Disorder or other neuropsychiatric conditions, and (c) difficult experiences like the early childhood deprivation, trauma, the death of someone important to you/ losing your home/marital issues, etc.

What do you think about the causes of Hoarding Disorder? Do you have any thoughts about it?

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Updated by jovialButterfly6752 on September 16th, 2021 to make formatting changes.