Anxiety Disorders Center: Research for Community
Volunteers
The Anxiety
Disorders Center is conducting several studies comparing individuals with
compulsive hoarding to individuals without a history of psychiatric illness.
Compulsive hoarding is a problem of excessive clutter in one's home, usually
associated with difficulty discarding items and/or acquiring (either
purchased or free) a number of items that one does not need or use, or cannot
afford. In order to participate in any of the following studies, you must
be able to travel to The Institute of Living in Hartford, CT. All of the
research studies described below compensate you for your time and effort.
Interview Study
One of our studies, in collaboration with
Smith College and Boston University, examines differences between
individuals without a history of psychiatric illness and individuals with
compulsive hoarding. We are looking at how problems with clutter start, the
relationship between hoarding and other kinds of emotional problems, and
thoughts, emotions, and beliefs in relation to clutter, saving, and
acquiring. This study involves coming into our center for an interview, as
well as completing a number of questionnaires. It also involves a home visit
by a clinician. Women, age 40 and older, may participate in this study if they
live within a 40 minute drive of Hartford.
Neuropsychology
Study
An additional study examines
differences in cognitive functioning in individuals without a history of
psychiatric illness compared to individuals with compulsive hoarding. In
addition to completing questionnaires, you will participate in
neuropsychological tests that evaluate attention, concentration, memory, and
problem-solving. Women, ages 40 to 65, may participate in this study.
Brain
Scan Study
In a third study, we are interested in
understanding differences in brain functioning in individuals without a
history of psychiatric illness compared to individuals with compulsive
hoarding. This study involves coming into the clinic for some interviews and
questionnaires, as well as completing a functional magnetic resonance imaging
(fMRI), in which we examine how your brain responds to different tasks.
Women, ages 40 to 65, may participate in this study.
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