The Nexus of Hoarding and Mental Imagery Extremes: Exploring Hoarding Tendencies in Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia

Abstract

Having attenuated visualization has been proposed to confer vulnerability to hoarding, although some studies have found no differences in visualizing between individuals who hoard and controls. To clarify this, we investigated the presence and severity of hoarding symptoms and beliefs in a specialist sample of aphantasics (those without imagery) and hyperphantasics (those with extremely vivid imagery), compared to mid-range/typical visualizers, while controlling for confounds (i.e., age and depression levels). Bayesian analysis revealed stronger evidence favouring a lack of difference in hoarding symptoms between aphantasics ( n = 58) and case-matched typical visualizers, although we found moderately strong evidence to suggest aphantasics were more inclined to report using objects as memory aids; a hoarding specific coping strategy. We also found moderately strong evidence to suggest hyperphantasics ( n = 23) had lower hoarding symptoms compared to case-matched typical visualizers and were less likely to live in cluttered homes, whereas evidence was weaker/inconclusive regarding differences in hoarding beliefs. Overall, findings suggest attenuated visualization does not necessarily predispose hoarding, but enhanced visualizing capacities may protect against hoarding symptom development.