Hoarding is the excessive accumulation of items, coupled with difficulty or refusal to part with them, which often results in clutter, disorganization, and potentially hazardous living environments. Different types of hoarding include compulsive hoarding (often linked to mental health issues like OCD), collecting (which becomes hoarding when it’s excessive and disorganized), animal hoarding (accumulating large numbers of pets without providing proper care), digital hoarding (amassing digital files and data), and others.
Individuals who hoard usually feel a strong attachment to their possessions and experience distress at the thought of losing them. This behaviour can be driven by emotional attachments, fear of losing memories, or perceived future utility of the items.
Hoarding can have a significant impact on an individual’s life, affecting personal relationships, mental health, and the functionality and safety of living spaces. For example, excessive clutter can create fire hazards or make a home unsanitary.
Addressing hoarding often requires a multi-faceted approach that includes psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, support from family and friends, and sometimes medications to treat underlying mental health conditions. Interventions are often gradual and focused on helping the individual to develop decision-making skills and reduce the distress associated with discarding items.
The psychological causes of hoarding are complex and can vary from person to person. Several factors may contribute to the development of hoarding behaviour:
The signs of ADHD in adults are similar to the signs in children but may also include difficulty keeping a job, problems with relationships, and poor self-esteem. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it is important to talk to a qualified mental health professional.
Some common signs of hoarding include keeping large amounts of junk in the home, difficulty getting rid of belongings, difficulty organizing belongings, and excessive spending on possessions. hoarding can lead to serious health and safety risks, including fires, falls, and rodent or insect infestations. Hoarding can also cause emotional distress for the individual and their family members. If you or someone you know is showing signs of hoarding, it is important to get help from a mental health professional.
Positive psychology seeks to understand what makes life worth living, and to build on people’s strengths and virtues in order to enable them to thrive. It does this by looking at the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, and by studying the effects of interventions that encourage people to flourish.
Eating disorders can have a number of serious consequences for a person’s physical health, including problems with digestion, weight loss or gain, and problems with the immune system. eating disorders can also lead to psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues.
Yes, a psychologist can be a great resource for help with stress management. They can provide you with techniques to reduce your stress levels and help you to manage your stress in a healthy way. A psychologist can help you get to the root of your stress and find healthy coping mechanisms. If you find that your stress is impacting your quality of life, it is important to seek professional help.
Yes, there are several non-medicated treatment options for ADHD that have been shown to be effective. Behavioral therapy, often involving both the individual with ADHD and their parents or caregivers, is a common approach that focuses on teaching strategies to manage symptoms and improve functioning. Additionally, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help with managing time, staying organized, and handling emotions. Lifestyle changes, such as regular physical activity such as physiotherapy, a healthy diet, and good sleep hygiene, can also positively impact ADHD symptoms. Lastly, neurofeedback and mindfulness meditation are emerging as promising interventions. While non-medicated treatments can be beneficial, it’s important to discuss these strategies with a healthcare provider to ensure they fit within the individual’s comprehensive treatment plan.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is used to treat a variety of mental health conditions but is most commonly used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a mental illness that is characterized by unstable emotions, impulsive behaviors, and difficulty in relationships. DBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for BPD, reducing the symptoms of the disorder and improving quality of life. DBT can also be used to treat other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Coaching psychology is similar to other forms of therapy, in that it is based on the idea that change is possible. However, coaching psychology tends to be more focused on the present and future, rather than the past. This means that coaching psychology can be useful for people that want to make changes in their lives, but may not be sure how to go about it.
Some common relationship issues include communication problems, conflict resolution, emotional intimacy, and sexual intimacy. These issues can be difficult to deal with on your own, but a psychologist can help you and your partner work through them. They can provide counseling and therapy to help you understand each other’s needs and wants better, and to help you resolve any conflicts that you may be experiencing.
Counselling costs in Alberta vary depending on the type of counselling and the length of time required.
The recommended rate for psychologists as of December 2022 is $200 per session.
