Yes, people with ADHD have significantly higher rates of hoarding tendencies, with studies showing up to 20-40% experiencing significant hoarding, linked to ADHD's core issues with attention, executive function (like organizing and decision-making), and impulsivity, making it hard to discard items and often leading to clutter and distress. The underlying cognitive challenges in ADHD, such as information processing deficits, create a shared vulnerability with hoarding disorder, though the motivations can differ.
Patients with ADHD had a high frequency of hoarding symptoms, which were specifically linked to inattention. HD should be routinely assessed in individuals with ADHD, as they do not typically disclose associated difficulties, despite these potentially leading to impaired everyday fimctioning.
The 30% rule estimates the delay ADHDers may experience in developing their executive function skills compared to peers of the same age. It suggests that those with ADHD may be around 30% behind their peers without the condition.
Symptoms
The struggle with clutter is indeed a common thread among those with ADHD, but it is one that can be managed with patience, self-understanding, and personalized strategies.
All of those tasks have something in common: unless external forces interfere with them, each task takes 2 minutes or less from start to finish - give or take 15 seconds.
Symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
They involve a person's ability to pay attention to things (being inattentive), having high energy levels (being hyperactive) and their ability to control their impulses (being impulsive).
Hoarding disorder may exist on its own or may be part of another condition. Mental health conditions most often associated with hoarding disorder include: Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD).
Some of us who hoard don't know we're hoarding. But recognising it and the effect it's having on our lives can be the first step to getting support.
Level 1 Hoarder: The Beginning Signs
There might be light clutter and no noticeable odors. All doors and stairways of the home are accessible. There are no signs of animal waste, pests or other problematic conditions. However, the individual may already be experiencing difficulty discarding items.
After completion of basic schooling, some individuals find success in work that better fits their interests and skills. Usually, the most difficult times for persons with ADHD are their years from middle school through the first few years after high school.
Increase stress relief by exercising outdoors—people with ADHD often benefit from sunshine and green surroundings. Try relaxing forms of exercise, such as mindful walking, yoga, or tai chi. In addition to relieving stress, they can teach you to better control your attention and impulses.
The 5 C's framework—Consistency, Self-Control, Compassion, Collaboration, and Celebration—offers families a powerful, evidence-based approach to parenting teens with ADHD.
“Cluttering is another behavior typical in folks with ADHD. Leaving items out as visual cues is a common way of compensating for an unreliable memory or inadequate time-management system, but to the untrained eye it can resemble hoarding,” she says.
In fact, if it's done without their consent, discarding the hoarder's possessions usually does more harm than good. The hoarder will likely be angry and resentful—damaging the relationship between you—and their process of accumulation will simply begin all over again.
Why are my ADHD symptoms getting worse?
The medicines most commonly used are a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Research continues on the most effective ways to use medicines in the treatment of hoarding disorder.
The hoarding could also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as OCD, other types of anxiety, depression and dementia.
The Bible warns against placing too much importance on material wealth, and this principle goes hand in hand with hoarding. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Hoarders tend to have high IQ's and they also have difficulty processing information. They may also have negative self perceptions of themselves and they may be ashamed, embarrassed, overwhelmed, or out of control. They may harbor fears of being considered "crazy" or their fear of being "found out".
Don't say “If we don't clean up this apartment and get rid of all these things, I'm going to leave.” Don't say “We have too much stuff! We have got to get rid of some or else we'll never be able to move again!” Don't say “I can only stay here if we start throwing away all our junk.”
Hoarding disorder. Other names. Compulsive hoarding, Plyushkin's disorder. Compulsive hoarding in an apartment. Specialty.
How it works: Commit to doing a task for just 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, you can stop—or often, momentum carries you forward. This leverages reduced overwhelm and the brain's reward system.
Dislikes or avoids activities that require paying attention for more than one or two minutes. Loses interest and starts doing something else after engaging in an activity for a few moments. Talks a lot more and makes more noise than other children of the same age. Climbs on things when instructed not to do so.
Adults diagnosed with ADHD often blame themselves for their problems or view themselves in a negative light. This can lead to self-esteem issues, anxiety, or depression.