Do you or someone you know have a hoarding disorder? A clinical trial investigates therapies that may be beneficial in treating hoarding disorder. According to the trial, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) may be effective in treating hoarding.
Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that affects many people around the world. Hoarding disorder has been considered a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by excessive accumulation of objects, even those that have little to no value, and difficulty in parting with them, resulting in a cluttered living space that cannot be used for its intended purpose. People with hoarding disorder may also experience distress and impairment in their daily functioning. Studies have shown that up to 5.8% of the population has a hoarding disorder.
Currently, effective interventions for hoarding are cognitive-behavioral therapies but their post-intervention effectiveness is questionable. Scanty clinical data is available on the clinical outcomes of these cognitive therapies as well as on other types of behavioral therapies.
This clinical trial investigates the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of two such therapies, namely: acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT).
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages people to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. In the case of ACT, you commit to facing the problem head-on rather than avoiding your stresses.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a type of behavioral therapy that aims to help a person challenge unhelpful thoughts to avoid negative emotions or behaviors.
Clinical Trial
The clinical trial aimed to investigate the psychological mechanisms behind the effectiveness of ACT and REBT in treating hoarding.The trial involved 139 patients suffering from hoarding disorder. The researchers randomly assigned the participants to either the ACT group, the REBT group, or the control group. 45 patients underwent ACT, 47 underwent REBT and 47 patients did not undergo either therapy.
The ACT group received therapy that focused on mindfulness and acceptance of their thoughts and feelings, while the REBT group received therapy that focused on identifying and challenging irrational beliefs related to hoarding. The control group received no therapy.
After 8 weeks of therapy, the researchers found that both the ACT and REBT groups showed significant improvements in hoarding symptoms compared to the control group.
The results of the clinical trial suggest that the psychological mechanisms behind the effectiveness of ACT and REBT for hoarding may be related to their ability to help individuals accept their thoughts and emotions and challenge their irrational beliefs. By doing so, individuals may be better able to let go of their excessive attachment to possessions and improve their daily functioning.
Conclusion
The clinical trial provides promising evidence that ACT and REBT may both be effective in treating hoarding disorder. The findings of the trial reinforce the use of these cognitive techniques in the treatment of patients suffering from hoarding disorder. However, it is important to consult with a mental health professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual needs.__________
Frontiers in Public Health, Feb-10-23