About this episode
Psychiatrist Carolyn Rodriguez studies hoarding disorder and says that all of us have attachments to our possessions. But for many, these attachments can disrupt daily life and even pose health risks. For those with loved ones who struggle with hoarding disorder, she says treatments exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Lately, she’s been studying how virtual reality can augment CBT through virtual discarding practice and ways brain stimulation may improve symptoms. But, Rodriguez says, never underestimate the value of empathy for those in need of help, as she tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Carolyn RodriguezConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces Carolyn Rodriguez, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University.(00:02:47) Motivation to Study Hoarding DisorderWhy Carolyn chose to focus her research on hoarding disorder.(00:03:44) Collecting Versus HoardingDistinguishing between normal behavior and clinically significant hoarding.(00:05:47) Prevalence of Hoarding DisorderThe universality and pervasiveness of hoarding disorder.(00:07:11) The Brain Science Behind HoardingEarly neuroscience findings on attachment and discarding behavior.(00:08:47) Dopamine and Excessive AcquisitionThe connection between hoarding and po
