Recognizing and Treating Hoarding Disorder by Carol A. Mathews

Recognizing and Treating Hoarding Disorder: How Much is Too Much? is a 2021 publication of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, in which Dr. Carol A. Mathews analyzes the latest clinical research concerning hoarding disorder and combines that evaluation with explanations of practical applications of the research to the provision of medical and other services to people suffering from the illness. I’ve never before written a book review in which my first recommendation is “Read the Epilogue first.” But the Epilogue is an extremely well-written summary of Recognizing which provides a valuable guide to the book’s contents. Recognizing is a dense, in some instances highly technical reference work. It is not necessarily intended for non-medical personnel, although any human services provider who works with hoarding clients is likely to find exciting material nonetheless. I hope it will be repeatedly updated as research continues to build concerning hoarding’s challenges.