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Hoarding disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive collection and an inability to discard items. Sufferers often find it difficult to part with their belongings, even when these items are of no practical value or have severely impacted their living space and quality of life. They develop strong emotional attachments to their belongings, believing them to have unique emotional or practical value, and fear the regret or loss they might suffer if they were discarded. Over time, this behavior worsens, causing living spaces to become crowded, cluttered, and even unsanitary, severely impacting daily functions and causing the living environment to become overwhelming. Furthermore, sufferers experience intense anxiety and inner struggles when trying to discard items, even experiencing emotional outbursts or severe anxiety. Furthermore, hoarding behavior can severely impact interpersonal relationships and social functioning, with sufferers often withdrawing from social interactions and becoming self-isolating due to feelings of shame and guilt. Hoarding disorder is often accompanied by other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms, which can lead to a decline in the patient's overall quality of life.

Target

The main teaching objectives of the hoarding disorder course include: helping patients clearly identify the emotions and cognitive patterns behind their hoarding behavior, deeply understanding why they have irrational emotional connections to items, and gradually reducing their emotional dependence on hoarded items; learning and mastering the cognitive restructuring techniques in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), identifying and adjusting irrational beliefs related to hoarding (such as overemphasizing the value of items); gradually reducing hoarding behavior through specific behavioral practice training (such as exposure and response prevention techniques), improving decision-making ability, and learning to reasonably discard items; at the same time, improving patients' interpersonal communication skills, alleviating social anxiety, and gradually restoring a healthy lifestyle and a good mental state.

Course Schedule:

Lesson 113:Understanding the symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder

Hoarding is not laziness or greed, but an extension of inner emotions and control.

Behind every item that you are reluctant to part with, there is an emotion that has not been put away.

Understanding why you hoard is the first step to healing.

Lesson 114:Identifying the cognitive misconceptions behind hoarding behavior

“It will be useful later”, “This is meaningful” – not necessarily true.

Hoarding is often a compensation for security rather than a real need.

When you can recognize these thoughts, you can choose new ways to respond.

Lesson 115:Practical training to reduce hoarding behavior (ERP technology)

Discarding does not mean giving up value, but re-ordering the space.

You can practice "keeping a little" with the restlessness rather than emptying it all at once.

ERP training is not about forced cleansing, but about gently rebuilding choices.

Lesson 116:Tips for improving decision-making and giving up items

Letting go of an item doesn't mean you're giving up on memories or meaning.

You have the power to decide what is truly worth keeping.

Every time you act decisively, it reflects your trust in your own judgment.

Lesson 117:Managing Relationship Issues in Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is not just an individual behavior, it also affects the breathing space of relationships.

Starting to communicate is the starting point for re-establishing understanding in a relationship.

Being seen and respected also includes your pace and boundaries.

Lesson 118:Establish a long-term management mechanism to prevent relapse

Management is not about suppression, but about gently maintaining order in life.

It doesn't need to be perfect all the time, just stay aware and tidy up occasionally.

You can leave a lighter environment for your future self.

Please complete the course evaluation to review your learning and provide suggestions. This will help you deepen your understanding and help us improve the course.