title: Prevalence and correlates of difficulty discarding: results from a national sample of the US population.
abstract: This study presents nationally representative data on the prevalence and the correlates of difficulty discarding, a behavior described in many psychiatric disorders, including a new diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, called hoarding disorder. Data were derived from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, a national sample of the US population (N=43,093). Difficulty discarding worn-out/worthless items (assessed by a single item) and diagnoses of psychiatric disorders were based on the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule. The prevalence of difficulty discarding worn-out/worthless items in the general population was 20.6%. Difficulty discarding strongly correlated with axis I and axis II disorders, level of impairment, and use of mental health services. Difficulty discarding worn-out/worthless items is a common behavior that can be associated with various forms of psychopathology. When reported in a clinical setting, it may signal that careful assessment is needed to clarify diagnosis and inform treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University, Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA. cr2163@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Carolyn I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Helen Blair
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Shang-Min
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levinson
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blanco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D000067836:Hoarding Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult