In support of ADHD Awareness Month, Sam Wainman who is a psychologist, PhD Researcher at The University of Birmingham and Clouds End CIC associate trainer, takes a look at the link between ADHD and hoarding disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and hoarding disorder (HD) are two distinct mental health conditions. At first glance, they might seem unrelated, but emerging research suggests there could be intriguing connections between them. Studies have shown that individuals who struggle with hoarding are more likely to exhibit symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity—key characteristics of ADHD.
This raises the question: what might explain this overlap?
Psychologists have observed that people who hoard often face challenges in organizing their possessions and exhibit differences in memory and attention, leading some to speculate that ADHD symptoms could contribute to hoarding behaviours. However, the underlying causes of these difficulties differ between the two disorders. ADHD is rooted in a combination of genetic factors and neurobiological differences, while the difficulties in hoarding stem from different sources. For instance, individuals with hoarding disorder may feel overwhelmed when attempting to focus on tasks related to sorting or discarding possessions. This overwhelm can lead to inattentiveness during these tasks, but this form of inattention may not necessarily be related to ADHD.
Still, it is important to note that individuals with ADHD may also exhibit hoarding-like behaviours, though for different reasons. For those with ADHD, challenges in organization and difficulty maintaining focus can result in clutter and accumulation of items, which may appear similar to hoarding but is rooted in the attentional difficulties typical of ADHD.
Having said all this, it is very important to note that a person can have both HD and ADHD simultaneously from these separate causes.
In summary, while ADHD and hoarding disorder can co-occur, they arise from distinct causes. It’s crucial to assess each person individually to understand the unique sources of their behaviours. By maintaining curiosity and empathy, we can better support those affected by either condition—or both.
Want to learn more about ADHD and Hoarding disorder?
Ask your questions and learn more virtually online with Sam on Friday 25th October for a ‘ADHD & Hoarding Disorder Power Hour’
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