KATE HAGAN
AUSTRALIA needs a taskforce on compulsive hoarding, an under-recognised mental illness that ageing, mental health and council workers are ill equipped to deal with, experts say.
Swinburne University professor of psychology Michael Kyrios, who will chair a panel discussion on the topic at a conference this week, said a multidisciplinary approach was needed to help people with the disabling condition who hoarded ''anything and everything''.
He said studies had shown ''a strong association between hoarding and getting older'', and the average age of hoarders was 55. About 2-4 per cent of the population probably suffered the condition, but skills were lacking in the mental health and community sectors on how to help them..." More
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