Tonia's house is almost unimaginable! She has piles of junk (she calls it "treasures") piled from floor to ceiling in virtually every room. There is a narrow pathway that she can use to walk from room to room. All of her furniture is covered in various items, so she has one small folding chair that she takes with her when she wants to sit down. Her bed has one small area that is clear enough for her to sleep. There is a foul odor in the house, mold growing under her piles of possessions, and she never has visitors. When Tonia tries to get rid of any possessions, she experiences tremendous anxiety and gives up quickly. Which diagnosis would best suit Tonia?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tonia's behavior fits the criteria for hoarding disorder, which is characterized by difficulty discarding possessions regardless of their actual value, an accumulation of clutter that interferes with the us of living spaces, and significant distress or impairment in functioning. Tonia experiences anxiety when trying to get rid of items, and her living space is clearly affected by the clutter.

Tonia's House Is Almost Unimaginable! She Has Piles of Junk