The correlation between hoarding and ADHD

Many people who live with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are familiar with clutter. Because of the way ADHD affects the brain — especially the prefrontal cortex — it can be difficult for those with ADHD to organize their environments and gather the motivation to complete daily tasks, like cleaning. 

People with hoarding disorder, characterized by an overwhelming accumulation of items and intense difficulty discarding them, can also experience high levels of clutter. They may find it challenging to get rid of anything, and, over time, their homes can become so full of items that it interferes with daily living.

ADHD and hoarding disorder are often comorbid, meaning you’re more likely to experience hoarding tendencies if you already live with ADHD. However, these aren’t the same condition, and not everyone with ADHD who struggles with clutter has hoarding disorder. 

While ADHD-related clutter is typically linked to inattention and difficulty with organization, hoarding disorder involves emotional attachment to possessions and a deep fear of discarding them. It’s important to understand the differences because the way these two conditions are treated can be very different.

Could hoarding be a sign of ADHD?

Although hoarding isn’t formally recognized as a symptom or sign of ADHD, research suggests that there may be overlap between ADHD-related inattention and hoarding disorder, which is classified in the DSM under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

However, some research suggests that hoarding disorder may have more in common with ADHD-related inattention than with OCD.

According to the DSM, symptoms of hoarding disorder include:

• Difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value
• Strong urges to save items and distress associated with discarding them
• Accumulation of possessions that congest living spaces and limit their intended use
• Significant distress or impairment in daily functioning due to clutter

Although ADHD and hoarding disorder are distinct conditions, research has found that the two appear together frequently. According to one study, up to 20% of people with ADHD also have hoarding symptoms.

Can ADHD cause hoarding disorder?

The causes of both hoarding disorder and ADHD are complex, and there’s no singular cause for either. They’re usually caused by a combination of different risk factors. 

Some factors that may increase the likelihood of developing hoarding disorder, ADHD, or both include:

• Genetics: Research has found that both hoarding disorder and ADHD have significant genetic elements. If you have a family member with these conditions, you’re more likely to have them yourself.
• Trauma and stress: Experiences of trauma, neglect, or chaotic surroundings in early life could increase your likelihood of having hoarding disorder and ADHD. 
• Brain differences: Both conditions can involve differences in brain areas like the prefrontal cortex, which manages attention, organization, and self-control.

There are unique features of living with ADHD that could make you more susceptible to hoarding, including:

Inattention

People with ADHD — especially those with predominantly inattentive ADHD — experience significant symptoms of distractibility. This inattention can make it more likely for clutter to accumulate over time. Some research even suggests that hoarding disorder is more closely linked to this type of ADHD inattention than it is to OCD, its formally recognized “cousin.”

Impulsivity

ADHD can also cause high levels of impulsivity. If you live with ADHD, you might find yourself buying unnecessary items on impulse. These items can unintentionally pile up, potentially raising your risk of developing hoarding disorder.

Depression

Around 50% of people with ADHD also experience depression, which also frequently co-occurs with hoarding disorder. Depression may act as a “third variable,” meaning it can increase the risk of both ADHD and hoarding disorder.

Executive functioning difficulties

Executive functioning challenges can make it feel difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to find the energy and motivation to organize. If you live with ADHD, you may feel overwhelmed by a cluttered environment. This could even lead to ADHD paralysis — an experience of feeling completely overwhelmed and frozen, unable to make any decisions about what to keep and discard.

Differences between ADHD clutter and hoarding disorder

Although many people live with both ADHD and hoarding disorder, it’s important to recognize the differences between ADHD-related clutter and hoarding clutter. Many people with ADHD struggle with organization and may find it difficult to keep their living areas tidy, but not everyone with ADHD who struggles with clutter has hoarding disorder.

One of the key features of hoarding disorder is the anxiety that comes along with the thought of getting rid of belongings. People with hoarding disorder don’t simply accumulate items because of impulsivity or difficulty with organization. Rather, they feel unable to get rid of things because of the emotional attachment they have to these objects and the discomfort and pain that letting go would cause.

In contrast, people with ADHD who have cluttered spaces or accumulate items impulsively may deeply desire to organize and get rid of things. But due to the executive functioning challenges that come with ADHD, it may be hard to make a plan to do so. People who live with ADHD but not hoarding disorder typically don’t have an emotional attachment to their objects. Rather, the items have just unintentionally accumulated over time. It’s not that they’re actively against getting rid of items — they simply feel like they don’t have the mental capacity to do so.

Examples

To illustrate, we’ll look at the stories of Cat and Jordan.

Hoarding disorder: When you step into Cat’s room, you immediately notice that almost every square foot is packed with boxes, cabinets, and loose items. Cat has adjusted her lifestyle to account for the accumulation of objects. For example, she only uses half of her bed to sleep because the other half is stacked with belongings. When you offer to help her donate some items or organize her space, Cat becomes anxious and defensive. She insists that she needs every item and is unwilling to part with anything. Cat shows classic symptoms of hoarding disorder.

ADHD and clutter: When you walk into Jordan’s room, you immediately see a significant amount of clutter and disorganization. Items are scattered across the floor, papers and books are piled up on the desk, and belongings are haphazardly placed on shelves. But when you offer help, she happily and gratefully accepts. Jordan explains that living in clutter is frustrating, and she’s been wanting to tidy up for some time. However, she feels overwhelmed by the decisions involved in organizing. She struggles to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. Jordan likely lives with ADHD, which has led to a cluttered living environment. She doesn’t have an emotional attachment to her belongings and actively wants to be organized, so she doesn’t meet the diagnostic criteria for hoarding disorder.

Tips for preventing hoarding tendencies with ADHD

If you live with ADHD and feel like you have hoarding tendencies, it’s important to intervene early to prevent the development of full-fledged hoarding disorder. Getting treatment for ADHD is the best way to manage symptoms that increase vulnerability to clutter, but these practical lifestyle tips can help as well.

Set a routine

Having a small but consistent tidying routine can help you develop the habit of organizing your space daily. For example, spend 10 minutes before bed putting dirty clothes in the hamper, or wash your dishes immediately after you eat. The key is to avoid letting clutter build up so you’re not faced with overwhelming decisions.

Be mindful of emotional attachments to objects

One defining feature of hoarding disorder is a disproportionate emotional attachment to objects. We all have certain items we’re attached to, and it’s OK to keep some sentimental items around. But be mindful of what you’re becoming overly attached to and why. Consider designating a limited space, like a single box, for emotionally meaningful objects.

Limit impulsive purchases

Impulsivity can make clutter pile up quickly — especially if you rely on shopping as a form of self-soothing. Try implementing a waiting period (like 24 hours) before nonessential purchases. You could also use a shopping list to stay focused on essentials and consider whether items align with your values and long-term goals.

Professional help for ADHD and hoarding disorder

Working with a therapist can be beneficial and, in some cases, necessary to address ADHD, hoarding disorder, or a combination of both.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been found to be effective for both ADHD and hoarding disorder. In CBT, you can identify thinking patterns that may contribute to hoarding tendencies and examine the emotional significance of items to explore the risks and benefits of discarding them. A CBT therapist can also teach you new skills for managing your symptoms and making healthy lifestyle changes.

Research has also shown that some ADHD medications may help reduce hoarding behaviors. It’s important to work with your provider to determine if medication is right for your unique needs.

Find care with Rula

Whether you think you may have co-occurring hoarding disorder or are simply struggling with ADHD-related clutter, Rula can help you organize your belongings and create a living space that’s more aligned with your values. We’ve connected clients and therapists for hundreds of thousands of online therapy sessions with just a few clicks.

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