Researchers at a prominent neuroscience center in Florence, Italy, have identified a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a tendency to hoard, a behavior that involves accumulating items far beyond practical need. The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, examined how hoarding manifests across different groups and what it might reveal about ADHD. The findings suggest that ADHD may increase the risk of developing hoarding tendencies, independent of other psychiatric conditions. This insight adds to a growing body of work exploring how ADHD interacts with impulse control and emotional regulation in adults.
Pathological hoarding is characterized by persistent difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value, paired with a strong urge to save items. This behavior can lead to cluttered living spaces and impairment of daily functioning, sometimes compromising safety and overall quality of life. To investigate the relationship with ADHD, researchers recruited 157 adult volunteers and categorized them into three groups: 57 participants with ADHD, 50 with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and 50 mentally healthy controls. Each participant completed a series of standardized questionnaires designed to measure hoarding severity and ADHD symptoms, alongside assessments of impulsivity and executive functioning. The study emphasizes that ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that begins in childhood and often features challenges with impulse control and sustained attention. The authors note that understanding hoarding within ADHD could illuminate broader mechanisms of compulsive behaviors and self-regulation challenges across different mental health presentations (Citation: Journal of Psychiatric Research).
The results revealed a striking disparity in the prevalence of hoarding disorder among the groups. Specifically, 32.1% of adults with ADHD also met criteria for hoarding disorder, a rate markedly higher than that observed in OCD patients at 8% and in healthy controls at 4%. The data also pointed to elevated impulsivity in individuals who carried both ADHD and hoarding disorder, suggesting that impulsive tendencies may contribute to the development or escalation of hoarding behaviors in this subset of the population. These patterns support the idea that ADHD and hoarding may share underlying neurocognitive pathways, including difficulties with impulse control and the regulation of urgent needs versus long-term planning. Clinicians are encouraged to consider comorbid ADHD when evaluating hoarding symptoms, as this combination can complicate treatment and require integrated strategies that address both conditions (Citation: Journal of Psychiatric Research).
Researchers acknowledge several limitations in the study that should guide future work. The cross-sectional design means that causal relationships cannot be firmly established, and the reliance on self-reported measures introduces potential biases. Nevertheless, the findings contribute valuable information about how ADHD can shape hoarding tendencies in adulthood and underscore the importance of screening for hoarding in patients with ADHD. By identifying this overlap, clinicians can tailor interventions that address impulse control, organizational skills, and cognitive distortions related to possession and space. The study also highlights the need for longitudinal research to track how ADHD symptoms influence hoarding trajectories over time, and whether targeted treatments for ADHD can mitigate hoarding risk (Citation: Journal of Psychiatric Research).
As the scientific community continues to explore the links between attention regulation, impulsivity, and compulsive behaviors, this line of inquiry could inform broader approaches to mental health care. For individuals living with ADHD, awareness of potential hoarding tendencies can prompt early assessment and proactive management. Treatment approaches may include cognitive-behavioral strategies aimed at improving decision-making, reducing clutter, and enhancing executive functioning. In addition, supporting families and caregivers with practical strategies can help create healthier living environments and reduce stress associated with disorganization. Ongoing research will be essential to refine these strategies and to determine how best to prevent the emergence of hoarding behaviors in individuals with ADHD (Citation: Journal of Psychiatric Research).