Had no differences existed on chromosome 14 that would’ve meant that OCD and hoarding are one in the same. The discovery leads psychologist to believe that hoarding can be classified as a separate mental disorder. Many hoarders experience great distress from the burdens caused by their hoarding problem. The acquisition of items has wrecked them in all aspects of life. Many hoarders struggle financially, socially, and with their families. Dr. Frost and Dr. Steketee explain when hoarding has gone to far and it is “When hoarding causes distress or impairs one’s ability to perform basic functions (58). Their explanation coincides directly with hoarding because many hoarders are unorganized and place themselves in situations where the items have…show more content… Items fill up homes and take over lives literally. The affected population is only believed to be about two to five percent of the population but could potentially be even greater than that. The reason being is because hoarders are able to conceal their problem from the outside world. Ms. Nicholson felt the extremes of her problem and it has taken a toll on her. In the article, “Hidden In Their Homes: Hoarders Live In A Private Nightmare,” Ms. Nicholson’s predicament is described:
The bed was moved into the living room about six months ago as the floor-to-ceiling piles of boxes in the bedrooms pushed her out. The basement is full. The garage is full. There are items stored under tarps in the backyard . . . .
The kitchen has dishes piled up. The sink doesn’t work. The stove and dishwasher are gone. Nicholson hasn’t cooked a meal in anything but the microwave in 16 or 17 years . . . .…show more content… 66-year-old Beverly Mitchell of Connecticut was a hoarder, and her home was filled from floor to ceiling. The search for Ms. Mitchell was conducted by the police, cadaver dogs, and multiple state agencies. Rescuers had to cut in to the side of Ms. Mitchell’s home to gain access. Her body was found 2 days after the initial search. She had been in the basement and was crushed by the first floor collapsing onto her (Mazza). Hoarding is very serious because in some cases it can inadvertently end in death. Deaths are avoidable in the case of hoarding, only when they’re
