Understanding and Treating Hoarding Disorder Course

Psychiatry. Encouraging a healthier community.

Developed and delivered by the Discipline of Psychiatry at Sydney Medical School, the University of Sydney. Psychoeducation courses promote health and well-being, and are open to everyone.

This introductory training course in Sydney is open to anyone who wants to understand hoarding disorder and learn how this disorder can be treated. It is also recommended for healthcare practitioners who provide service to patients with symptoms of compulsive hoarding.

About Hoarding Disorder

Compulsive hoarding is a highly disabling and complex disorder, with prevalence estimated 2-5%. Although the onset of compulsive hoarding often begins in childhood, hoarding most commonly presents in later life. Costs associated with compulsive hoarding highlight significant psychological and public health and safety problems, including impairment in psychosocial and occupational functioning, high levels of social service involvement, poor physical health, and many preventable residential fire fatalities.

Effective psychological treatments are available for hoarding disorder. However, recent research indicates that hoarding disorder remains under-recognised in primary care and the majority of sufferers do not receive adequate treatment.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

discuss the symptoms, prevalence, and burden of hoarding disorder
develop in vivo exposure hierarchies for acquisition-prevention and discarding
identify and challenge cognitive distortions common to hoarding disorder
design a behavioural experiment to test an anxious cognition related to hoarding
assist patients in improving decision-making and organisation skills
identify appropriate medications to complement cognitive-behavioural treatments for hoarding disorder.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

What is hoarding disorder?

Hoarding versus Collecting

DSM-V diagnostic criteria of hoarding disorder

Differential diagnosis

Etiology of hoarding

Genetic factors
Impulse control problems
Emotional dysregulation
Maladaptive emotional attachment
Executive dysfunctions

Pharmacological treatment for hoarding disorder
Cognitive-behavioural therapy for hoarding disorder

Delivery style

Upon enrolment, you will be given access to a pre-course reading that gives you an overview of hoarding disorder.

During the full-day training, a wide range of teaching methods will be used, including didactic presentations, interactive small group activities, case studies, and role-play. A reinforcing activity sheet with answer keys will be provided for you to complete at your own time after the course.

Features

Expert trainers
Central locations
Small class sizes
Free, expert advice
Student materials – yours to keep
Statement of completion

What others say.

Thank you. The tutor managed every aspect of the day perfectly and was very well-prepared and obviously extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject matter.