Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Publication Title
Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
Abstract
Previous research indicates that people with hoarding sometimes under- or over-report the severity of their symptoms. This article examines the results of two separate studies that evaluate severity ratings made by participants with hoarding disorder (HD) in comparison to ratings by family members or independent evaluators. In Study 1, HD participants' ratings of the severity of the clutter in their home and their hoarding behaviors were less severe than those made by their friends or family members. This result may be accounted for by family members' rejecting attitudes towards the participant. In Study 2, HD participants appeared to under-report specific hoarding symptoms while over-reporting their overall global impression of hoarding severity. A three-pronged assessment approach is recommended in which ratings of hoarding severity are made by the HD participant, their family member, and an independent observer or clinician. Such an approach would better inform future research, and also clinical treatment.
Keywords
Clutter, Collecting, Hoarding disorder, Insight, Patient rejection
Volume
2
Issue
2
First Page
130
Last Page
136
DOI
10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.01.002
ISSN
22113649
Rights
© the authors
Recommended Citation
DiMauro, Jennifer; Tolin, David F.; Frost, Randy O.; and Steketee, Gail, "Do People with Hoarding Disorder Under-Report Their Symptoms?" (2013). Psychology: Faculty Publications, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/psy_facpubs/43
Comments
Peer reviewed accepted manuscript.