Diogenes syndrome
Diogenes syndrome | |
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Other names | Senile squalor syndrome |
Room crammed with garbage | |
Specialty | Psychology, psychiatry |
Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome, is a disorder characterized by extreme
The condition was first recognized in 1966
Presentation
Diogenes syndrome is a disorder that involves hoarding of rubbish and severe self-neglect. In addition, the syndrome is characterized by domestic squalor,
In most instances, patients were observed to have an abnormal possessiveness and patterns of compilation in a disordered manner. These symptoms suggest damage to the
Although most patients have been observed to come from homes with poor conditions, and many had been faced with poverty for a long period of time, these similarities are not considered a definite cause to the syndrome. Research showed that some of the participants with the condition had solid family backgrounds as well as successful professional lives. Half of the patients were of higher intelligence level.[12] This indicates the Diogenes syndrome does not exclusively affect those experiencing poverty or those who had traumatic childhood experiences.
The severe neglect that they bring on themselves usually results in physical collapse or mental breakdown. Most individuals with the syndrome do not get identified until they face this stage of collapse, due to their predilection to refuse help from others.[4]
Personality traits that can be seen frequently in patients diagnosed with Diogenes syndrome are aggressiveness, stubbornness, suspicion of others, unpredictable mood swings, emotional instability and deformed perception of reality.[11] Secondary DS is related to mental disorders.[11] The direct relation of the patients' personalities to the syndrome is unclear, though the similarities in character suggest potential avenues for investigation.[11]
Diagnosis
Individuals with Diogenes syndrome generally display signs of collectionism,
Management
This section needs additional citations for verification. (September 2018) |
It is ethically difficult when it comes to dealing with diagnosed patients, for many of them deny their poor conditions and refuse to accept treatment. The main objectives of the doctors are to help improve the patient's lifestyle and wellbeing, so health care professionals must decide whether or not to force treatment onto their patient.
In some cases, especially those including the inability to move, patients have to consent to help, since they cannot manage to look after themselves. Hospitals or nursing homes are often considered the best treatment under those conditions.
When under care, patients must be treated in a way in which they can learn to trust the health care professionals. In order to do this, the patients should be restricted in the number of visitors they are allowed, and be limited to one nurse or social worker. Some patients respond better to psychotherapy, while others to behavioral treatment or terminal care.[11]
Results after hospitalization tend to be poor. Research on the mortality rate during hospitalization has shown that approximately half the patients die while in the hospital. A quarter of the patients are sent back home, while the other quarter are placed in long-term residential care. Patients under care in hospitals and nursing homes often slide back into relapse or face death.
There are other approaches to improve the patient's condition. Day care facilities have often been successful with maturing the patient's physical and emotional state, as well as helping them with socialization. Other methods include services inside the patient's home, such as the delivery of food.[11]
History
The origin of the syndrome is unknown, although the term "Diogenes" was coined by A. N. G. Clarke et al. in the mid‑1970s and has been commonly used since then. Diogenes syndrome was acknowledged more prominently as a media phenomenon in popular media rather than medical literature. The primary description of this syndrome has only been mentioned recently by geriatricians and psychiatrists.[3][4]
See also
- Borderline personality disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Collyer brothers
References
- PMID 3535960.
- PMID 10389361.
- ^ PMID 5919035.
- ^ S2CID 44838574.
- ^ .
- ^ (01-28-2006) by Alicia M. Canto, in: "Uso y abuso de Diógenes"
- S2CID 45209151.
- PMID 8669353.
- PMID 1946843.
- ^ Hanon C, P. C. (2004). Diogenes Syndrome: A Transnosographic Approach. Encephale, 30 (4), 315-322.
- ^ S2CID 41954393.
- S2CID 44838574.
- PMID 23393422.
Further reading
- Radebaugh, TS; Hooper, FJ; Gruenberg, EM. (1987). "The social breakdown syndrome in the elderly population living in the community: the helping study". Br J Psychiatry. 151 (3): 341–6. S2CID 4430376.
- Shah, AK (1990). "Senile squalour syndrome: what to expect and how to treat it". Geriatr Med. 20: 10–26.
- Wrigley, M; Cooney, C. (1992). "Diogenes syndrome--an Irish series". Ir J Psychol Med. 9: 37–41. S2CID 74060863.
- Snowdon, J. (1987). "Uncleanliness among persons seen by community health workers". Hosp Community Psychiatry. 38 (5): 491–4. PMID 3596484.
- Berlyne, N. (1975). "Diogenes syndrome". Lancet. 305 (7905): 515. S2CID 54262854.
- Cole, AJ; Gillett, TP.; Fairbairn, Andrew (1992). "A case of senile self-neglect in a married couple: 'Diogenes a deux'". Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 7 (11): 839–41. S2CID 145349028.
- O'Mahony, D; Evans, JG (1994). "Diogenes syndrome by proxy". The British Journal of Psychiatry. 164 (5): 705–6. PMID 7921736.
- Post F. "Functional disorders: 1. Description, incidence and recognition". In: Levy R, Post F, eds. The psychiatry of late life. Oxford: Blackwell, 1982;180-1.
- Roe, PF. (1977). "Self-neglect". Age Ageing. 6 (3): 192–4. PMID 899969.
- MacAnespie, H (1975). "Diogenes Syndrome". The Lancet. 305 (7909): 750. S2CID 54245044.
- Wolfson, P; Cohen, M; Lindesay, J; Murphy, E (1990). "Section 47 and its use with mentally disordered people". Journal of Public Health Medicine. 12 (1): 9–14. PMID 2390316.
External links
- 'Husband let wife starve to death' – BBC News item, Friday, 28 March 2008