Hoarding

= = = = = = **Hoarding** = =  Types-    Animal - Animal hoarding is when people keep an unusual number of animals in there house. People who animal hoard also are unable to provide care for all of the animals in their homes. They are also in denial over there situation and can not be reasoned with. Compulsive- **Excesively keeping possesions without getting rid of them even if they have no use. The house that is being lived in is of no use because of all the clutter.** = =  ** Symptoms: ** Acquiring a large amount of objects and not having the luxury to get rid of them. Homes are exponentially cluttered and the space is limited for the homeowners to actually live in. Many people who are hoarders have very poor social skills. They usually can not have a normal relationship with anyone. ** Causes **: It isn't quite clear what is the exact cause for hoarding but, it is an inactivity of the dorsal anterior cingulated gyrus. This is a part of the brain that is held accountable for focus, attention, and decision making. There is a theory that genetics might also be a factor in hoarding. Families with a history of hoarding put there children at risk of developing the disorder. Perception and Treatment- Most people who are hoarders don't believe they have a problem. They are attached to their items and those possesions offer a comfort for them. Treatment is often times hard to establish. Psychotherapy and medication are two ways that it can be treated. Therapy may also help but it takes up a large amount of time but is usually beneficial in the long run.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hoarding/DS00966

http://www.animalhoarding.com/index.htm

http://www.harthosp.org/InstituteOfLiving/AnxietyDisordersCenter/CompulsiveHoarding/default.aspx

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