In today's episode, Dr. Morein enlightens us about an often under-recognized condition: Hoarding Disorder (HD). Traditionally associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), recent insights suggest a surprising connection between HD and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Main Points:

Background on Hoarding Disorder (HD):

HD remains under-recognized and inadequately treated.

Though it generally manifests by early adulthood, most patients only seek help later in life, often leading to research predominantly focusing on older females.

HD vs. OCD:

Historically, HD was considered a variant of OCD.

However, recent studies indicate that many with HD display symptoms reminiscent of ADHD, particularly inattention.

Study Findings:

Among adults attending an ADHD clinic, a significant proportion (about 20%) exhibited clinically relevant hoarding symptoms, compared to only 2% in the control group.

Interestingly, this ADHD group with hoarding tendencies had an average age in their thirties, and approximately half were male.

Overall, hoarding severity was higher in the ADHD group compared to controls.

Notably, inattention stood out as the single most significant predictor of hoarding severity in patients.

Independent Study Verification:

An independent online UK sample was assessed to verify these findings.

The study reiterated the findings, with inattention, depression, and anxiety emerging as the top predictors for hoarding.

Approximately 3.2% of this sample identified having clinically significant hoarding tendencies.

Implications:

The research suggests a clear overlap between ADHD, particularly inattention, and HD.

Medical professionals should be vigilant in assessing HD in individuals diagnosed with ADHD.

Despite the potential to adversely impact daily functioning, patients with ADHD might not spontaneously disclose their hoarding issues.

There's a need for HD research to consider younger adults with ADHD, a demographic that offers a different age and gender distribution than what has been traditionally studied.

Conclusion:

Hoarding Disorder and ADHD might seem worlds apart, but as Dr. Morein's insights reveal, they could be intertwined in ways we've never imagined. With increasing awareness and timely intervention, we can provide better support and treatment strategies for those grappling with these challenges.

Join us next week as we delve deeper into another exciting topic. Stay curious and stay informed!

https://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.jpsychires.2021.12.024