Treating hoarding disorder in childhood: A case study Article

Gallo, KP, Wilson, LAS, Comer, JS. (2013). Treating hoarding disorder in childhood: A case study . JOURNAL OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE AND RELATED DISORDERS, 2(1), 62-69. 10.1016/j.jocrd.2012.11.001

cited authors

  • Gallo, KP; Wilson, LAS; Comer, JS

authors

abstract

  • This study examines the treatment methods and outcomes for an 11-year-old Caucasian boy presenting with pediatric hoarding disorder and a DSM-IV diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The boy and his mother participated in eleven sessions of developmentally sensitive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a predominantly behavioral focus due to the child's difficulties comprehending verbal and written materials. Treatment components consisted of psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, creation of a personalized fear and avoidance hierarchy, implementation of problem-solving skills, in-session and out-of-session exposures, and contingent reinforcement. Results of the treatment were promising, with weekly items saved shifting from 28 to 0 from pre- to post-treatment, and average anxiety about discarding items shifting from 5 to 0 on a 0-8 scale. Scores on the Child Saving Inventory shifted from 52 to 27 over the course of the 11-session treatment. Treatment gains were maintained at 18-month follow-up. Currently there is a proposal to include hoarding disorder as an independent diagnostic entity in the upcoming DSM-5. In light of limited data evaluating methods for treating pediatric hoarding, the promising results of this case study can inform the development and formal evaluation of optimal procedures for working with youth who present with this unique set of symptoms. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

publication date

  • January 1, 2013

published in

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

start page

  • 62

end page

  • 69

volume

  • 2

issue

  • 1