Hoarding disorder is defined as

• A. Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.
• B. A disorder involving compulsive excessive cleanliness.
• C. An episodic fear of losing control.
• D. A disorder marked by rapid shifts in mood.

Answer: (A)

Hoarding disorder centers on a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This leads to an excessive accumulation of items and clutter that interferes with the intended use of living spaces and causes distress or impairment. The defining feature is the chronic, value-independent urge to hold onto items, not a concern with cleanliness, control, or mood shifts. The other descriptions point to different issues—excessive cleanliness relates to contamination concerns in OCD, an episodic fear of losing control fits anxiety-related states, and rapid mood shifts suggest a mood disorder like bipolar. Thus, the statement about persistent difficulty discarding possessions best identifies hoarding disorder.