Hoarding behavior in dementia: A preliminary report

Jen Ping Hwang, Shih Jen Tsai*, Chen Hong Yang, King Ming Liu, Jiing Feng Lirng

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

90 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hoarding behavior has been reported in several mental disorders and is occasionally reported by the caregivers of dementia patients. Such behavior may have adverse effects on the patients and increase the burden of the caregivers. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of hoarding behavior in patients with dementia and identify the characteristics and psychiatric symptoms associated with it. The sample was 133 dementia patients admitted to a geropsychiatric ward. Of the 133 dementia patients, 30 (22.6%) showed hoarding. Hoarding was found in various types of dementia. Patients with hoarding had a higher prevalence of repetitive behaviors, hyperphagia, and pilfering. Results suggested that hoarding behavior is a common symptom in dementia patients and a complex phenomenon. Better understanding of the underlying pathogenesis may highlight specific pharmacological or behavioral methods for treatment of the behavior.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)285-289
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998

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