Anxiety Disorders Center: Research for Compulsive
Hoarding
The Anxiety Disorders Center is conducting several studies comparing
compulsive hoarding to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsive
hoarding is a problem of excessive clutter in one's home, usually associated
with difficulty discarding items and/or acquiring (either purchased or free)
a number of items that one does not need or use, or cannot afford. In order
to participate in any of the following studies, you must be able to travel
to The Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. All of the research studies
described below compensate you for your time and effort.
Interview Study
One of our studies,
in collaboration with Smith College and Boston University, examines how the
problem with clutter started, the relationship between hoarding and other
kinds of emotional problems, and thoughts, emotions, and beliefs in relation
to clutter, saving, and acquiring. This study involves coming into our
center for an interview as well as completing a number of questionnaires. It
also involves going to a store with a clinician so we can learn about your
thoughts related to resisting acquiring items. People may participate in
this study if they have hoarding, OCD, or both.
Neuropsychology
Study
An additional study
examines cognitive functioning in compulsive hoarding. In addition to
completing questionnaires, you will participate in neuropsychological tests
that evaluate attention, concentration, memory, and problem-solving. People
may participate in this study if they have hoarding or OCD.
Brain
Scan Study
In a third study,
we are interested in understanding brain functioning in compulsive
hoarding. This study involves coming into the clinic for some interviews
and questionnaires as well as completing a functional magnetic resonance
imaging (fMRI), in which we examine how your brain responds to different
tasks. People may participate in this study if they have hoarding or OCD.
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