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6: EMDR Therapy and Hoarding: The Hoarding Protocol

DOI:

10.1891/9780826131683.0006

Authors

  • Marquis, Priscilla
  • Sprowls, Christie
  • Marquis, Priscilla
  • Sprowls, Christie

Abstract

Compulsive hoarding is described as acquiring a large number of possessions and failing to discard them. Individuals with hoarding disorder may have comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, general anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), or problems with their executive functioning. Research into the treatment of hoarding is relatively recent and most treatment has focused on cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT). The treatment of hoarding disorder with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a comprehensive protocol that involves decreasing acquisition behaviors and increasing discarding behaviors. Some individuals may not report excessive acquisition at first, yet it may be revealed later during treatment. It is important to conceptualize the EMDR treatment for Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) framework. While the behavioral and cognitive changes may be put in place rather quickly in EMDR Therapy, the actual decluttering of the client’s environment may take more time.