title: Three Reasons why Studying Hoarding in Children and Adolescents is Important.
abstract: Hoarding is traditionally considered a disorder of adulthood but hoarding symptoms often begin in childhood and adolescence. However, there is very little published research into hoarding in youth. As described in this commentary, the study of hoarding in childhood and adolescence is important because hoarding symptoms: 1) often begin in childhood and adolescence; 2) often are chronic and persist into adulthood; and, 3) are associated with a number of negative outcomes and sequelae. Research into hoarding in youth could help identify individuals at risk for chronic and persistent hoarding disorder as well as determine interventions to change their trajectories. Improved understanding of hoarding in children and adolescents could in turn help minimize the negative effect of hoarding on the affected individuals, their families and society.
authors.affiliation: Genetics & Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario ; Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
authors.forename: Christie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.affiliation: Genetics & Genome Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario ; The University of Calgary, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Alberta.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Pediatric OCD Consultation Team, Anxiety Treatment and Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario ; Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
authors.forename: Noam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soreni
keywords: adolescents; children; hoarding