Exploring the Experiences of Family Members of Persons with Hoarding Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Hoarding is a mental health condition that has been added in DSM-V under the category of Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders and is characterized by difficulty discarding a number of objects irrespective of their actual value resulting in clutter causing significant distress and impairment in daily living (APA, 2013). Though it is considered to be a universal phenomenon, most of research has been done in Western societies and has rarely been examined in Asian cultures including Pakistan. The present study, therefore, aimed to examine the manifestation and correlates of hoarding behavior in cultural context of Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through interview guide. The findings reveal that family members frequently experience emotional distress, including frustration, suffocation, and anger, as well as significant practical difficulties in managing the home environment. Many family members express a lack of adequate support and resources to navigate these challenges, with some relying on avoidance or conflict avoidance strategies. Additionally, the study highlights the stigma associated with hoarding disorder, which often leads to social isolation. Data was an analyzed with Reflexive thematic analysis and the data gathered in this research highlighted several core themes and sub themes that shape the experiences of family members living with a hoarder. These themes include unhealthy environment, social isolation, family disputes, economic struggles, home claustrophobia, hostile vulnerability and unhealthy coping. In particular, the study emphasized the emotional and psychological toll that hoarding places on family members, leading to feelings of frustration, helplessness, isolation and unhealthy coping.