A New Explanation: Compensation Mechanism in Comorbidity Disorders of Hoarding Disorder

Abstract

Hoarding Disorder (HD) is a new category of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorder (OCSD). Developing research has provided assessment, phenomenological, and cognitive-behavioral evidence for the independent diagnosis of HD from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Meanwhile, HD was also found to be comorbid with various other mental disorders with significant impairments for its externality. The paper has reviewed several comorbidity research about HD, aiming to generalize the prevalence and duration of comorbidity disorders in HD conditions. In addition, this paper has also tentatively introduced the concept of compensatory mechanism to interpret the reasons for comorbid conditions in HD, especially the acquisition of specific beliefs or emotional attachments where some Personality Disorders could also form. In conclusion, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are most likely comorbid with HD, whereas posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) might be absent after arguing. Impulse Control Disorder (ICD) could supersede a certain stage of HD with the absence of psychological compensation. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) could also be comorbid with HD on a neurological basis, it could however not conclude that the compensation functions and require further investigation. Based on summarizing and assessing comorbidity disorders in HD, the present paper has provided recommendations for future research development and optimization of therapies.