This is a fairly accessible book about hoarding disorder and the hoarding symptoms that attend many other diagnoses, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, obsessive compulsive personality disorder, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dementia, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. There is a huge amount of overlap between hoarding disorder and other psychiatric conditions. What distinguishes this condition from others in which patients excessively accumulate objects is the excessive attachment sufferers place on objects that are often of very little value. There is also intense resistance to parting with said items.

In terms of describing hoarding disorder itself, this is quite a basic book (often stating the obvious). A key focus for the author, a psychiatrist, is on how hoarding fits into the DSM-5 (the American Psychiatric Association’s <i><b>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.</i></b>) categorization. Overall, this makes for pretty dry reading, even though there are short illustrative case studies inserted for clarification and human interest. Among the many topics discussed is the role of the law in dealing with severe hoarding that can endanger not only the patient but also children, pets (which are sometimes acquired in excess, too), and neighbours. The fire threat due to extreme hoarding is very real, but the clutter of the hoarder encroaching on common spaces in apartment buildings, infection, vermin, and offensive odours are problems as well.

The author addresses the pharmaceutical treatment of hoarding disorder, noting there’s a paucity of research on effective drugs for the condition, which prior to 2013 was classified under OCD and Related Disorders in the DSM-5. Drug treatment, usually selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, is far more likely to be successful for those whose hoarding symptoms are related to (a sort of byproduct of) another condition, such as depression or OCD. (Depressed people may buy things they don’t need to lift their spirits and subsequently have no motivation or energy to dispose of objects that have accumulated unused. Those with ADHD may also buy impulsively, then lack focus to sort and clear out what is not needed. Often socially isolated, individuals with these conditions can become attached to objects in place of people.)

The main treatment approach for hoarding disorder is psychological: cognitive behavioural therapy. The author also briefly describes Compassion-Focused Therapy, which acknowledges the emotional state (the shame, distress, and stigmatization) of the patient. Influenced by mindfulness practices from Eastern religions, primarily Buddhism, it sounds like it has a lot of potential. Alas, yet again, there’s little research on the effectiveness of the therapy.

I acknowledge that this competently written but quite repetitive book may be helpful to some. Drummond provides ample information and organization resources. A glossary, notes, and an index are included. GPs may find some use for the text; family members of those with hoarding disorder, the patients themselves, and other readers—perhaps not so much. One thing that was stated over and over again was how little research there actually is on pretty much all things related to the condition. So, <i>does</i> this book comprise “Everything You Need to Know about Hoarding” as the title claims? I think not. Only some of what’s reported is necessary to know. A fair bit of the material is simply uninteresting, and some of the accompanying case studies/patient narratives just seemed superfluous. The reader does not require illustrations of very obvious points. Less would have been more.

Personally, I really don’t care about DSM categorization—its lists and lists of symptoms (pick three here and five there). So many symptoms are common to a multitude of mental health problems. I suspect I’m not alone in not finding much value in reading such lists. I wanted some insights into why—the psychology and brain science related to hoarding— or perhaps a few success stories. In the end, I found myself wishing the author had waited until there was some good research on hoarding disorder or something actually fresh and interesting to say. There are much more readable books on the subject out there, and I can’t recommend this one with any enthusiasm.

The title said what it did. And sadly ypu can't have a title like that lightly. Not about something so serious. Because of course noone cam have ALL the ins and outs. But then don't try that for a title. The condition is too complex. So straight away as I was little.miffed at the book.
Way more compassion,u persuading and knowledge needs to be happening about these conditions. Along with other mental illness. No wait, along with ALL mental illness. They are horrific. They are agony. And for all involved you.suffer. sadly this book didn't offer enough. It was quite a easy light take on it. But didn't somehow get to grips the way it needed to. Which of course given this illness is so nuanced and hard that.might in itself be putting too much pressure on to one book!
There is hope. For anyone going through this or alongside someone who is. There are those who know the hell you're facing or the torture In your mind. If you can reach out to someone. And let fanily or those supporting you know. They should also know this isn't the sufferers choice or fault.

I read this book hoping to get some insight on hoarding. And there was a great amount of information, but it seemed repetitive and there was no solution for helping. I guess I was hoping for more.

I received an ARC for a fair review.

I was interested in reading this book in order to help a family member who has a hoarding problem. It is short and concise, but I felt like it didn't offer much more than any other book on the subject would maintain. It would be helpful to someone who is new to exploring the problem, or perhaps someone who is a hoarder to help him or her recognize the problem. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!