Child Mind Institute Shares Resources on Hoarding and Messy Rooms

Cleaning one’s room has become a rite of passage for many children, while staying on top of children to clean their rooms is a tradition among many caregivers. It’s a scenario that most involved do not enjoy.

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But while caregivers might believe that a child’s failing to clean their room after being asked multiple times to be a sign of defiance, a cluttered room could also result from hoarding.

According to the Child Mind Institute, children who hoard get emotionally attached to objects – occasionally even ones that might seem like trash, such as used pizza boxes, clothing tags, or rocks. In these cases, the child might get upset if someone tries to clean it up.

In a series of new resources, the Child Mind Institute dives into the topic of hoarding and how it differs from other concerns – such as the chaotic room of a child with ADHD or a teen who hides food. Hoarding is related to OCDE, but children who hoard don’t collect items to relieve anxiety. Instead, anxiety might come when they are forced to get rid of things.

The Child Mind Institute writes that the treatment for hoarding is exposure therapy, where children who hoard handle the discomfort that comes from discarding items. Some children might resist getting treatment, while others might feel ashamed about hoarding. Among the Child Mind Institute’s resources is an article on how to handle embarrassment and support children as they take steps to be more flexible.

Here are the Child Mind Institute’s resources on hoarding:

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