In 2013, hoarding disorder was recognized in the DSM-5 – American Psychiatric Association’s manual for assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions. A new study has now shown that individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have significantly higher prevalence of hoarding symptoms in comparison with the general population. 

The findings suggest that hoarding should be evaluated in people with ADHD. Patients at an adult ADHD clinic in the UK were asked to complete a series of questionnaires regarding their traits and behaviors, including hoarding. A total of 88 individuals took part in the study. A control group with people of similar age, gender and education characteristics, not having ADHD, also completed the same questionnaires. Around 20% of participants with ADHD reported clinically significant hoarding symptoms, compared to only 2% of the control group (close to 2.5% prevalence of hoarding disorder in the population). Clinically significant hoarding in ADHD patients was found to be tied to poorer quality of life and higher depression and anxiety… (The Indian Express, March 5, 2022)