Answer to Question #121951 in Psychology for jessica l acosta

Question

Consider Hoarding vs. Trichotillomania. While both are extremely pervasive and compromise someone's way of life, not to mention their quality of life, hoarding may not be as catastrophic to the patient as much as trichotillomania (because Tmania is causing physical harm).
2) Think about the symptoms and severity of impairment and try to decide if any one of these disorder preferable to another?

Answer 1

Hoarding is more preferable as the symptoms and behavior of the individual (difficulty in discarding possessions despite their actual value) affect material well being of the patient and the family. In contrast, Trichotillomania causes physical harm and distress (hair pulling and subsequent hair loss) resulting in distress for the person, and thus interfering with social and occupational functioning.