In Hoarding Disorder, what is a main contributor to the difficulty in discarding possessions?

In Hoarding Disorder, a primary contributor to the difficulty in discarding possessions is a need to save items or the distress experienced when thinking about discarding them. Individuals with this disorder often feel a strong emotional attachment to their possessions, which can result in significant anxiety or distress at the thought of parting with them. This emotional component drives their behavior and leads to a persistent inability to get rid of items, regardless of their actual utility or value.

While other factors, such as learned behaviors or social anxiety, can influence hoarding behaviors to some extent, they do not capture the core issue as accurately as the emotional need and distress associated with discarding items. Similarly, financial considerations may play a role, but they typically do not account for the depth of emotional attachment that characterizes Hoarding Disorder. Thus, the primary aspect of this disorder revolves around the intense need to save and the emotional turmoil linked to discarding possessions.