What We Don’t Know Yet?
Research surrounding ADHD and hoarding is relatively new, and there is a lot we don’t know yet.
Looking at studies that investigate the connection between ADHD and hoarding, sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish when ADHD is truly comorbid with hoarding disorder. In some cases people with hoarding disorder show problems with attention, but they might not actually have ADHD.
As well, many of the studies on these two conditions include other comorbid conditions. This can influence the results.
For example, people that have both ADHD and OCD may not be representative of those with hoarding disorders who have ADHD, but not OCD.
Finally, that a person is experiencing the core features of ADHD, such as inattentiveness and impulsivity does mean for sure that the person has ADHD. Proper diagnosis is still needed. Research has yet to determine if these specific traits may have more of an impact on the development of hoarding disorder than ADHD itself.