Skip to main content

Know About Diogenes Syndrome


Diogenes syndrome or Senile Squalor Syndrome is considered to be a part of a mental health disorder commonly referred to as compulsive hoarding. It is a rare mental condition commonly found in elderly people who are either in a state of neglect or under a state, where they are not able to maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness. This disorder is also found among the young people suffering from any kind of mental health issues or with the ones under that strange habit of hoarding and later displaying the collection.

Considered as a variant of self neglect, this is one such disorder that affects mostly those who are either inattentive to their personal hygiene or even worst the ones who are unable to seek any medical advice and attention. People suffering from Diogenes Syndrome are often found collecting magazines, books, tin cans, rubber bands and even mails and the collection could be from the past 15-20 years or even more.

Behavioral Patterns of Those Suffering From Diogenes Syndrome

Like any other mental health issue, Diogenes Syndrome too sends out clear signals in the form of behavioral patterns. Although these signals are discounted as harmless ones but if not rectified they could make one's old age risk-prone. Some common behavior patterns include:

  • Failure to discard newspapers, magazines, books, bottles, jars and even cans
  • Failure to maintain personal hygiene
  • Failure to clean the home and keep in clutter-free
  • Lying unattended and neglected in ones excrement
  • Ignoring medical health issues and not taking medicines on a regular basis

These are the patterns that give away a clear indication that one is suffering from Diogenes Syndrome and needs quick and complete medical attention.

Symptoms of Diogenes Syndrome

There has been comprehensive research around signs and symptoms of Diogenes Syndrome and the ones that have been found in most of the sufferers are:

  • Lack of self-conscious about personal cleanliness, hygiene, and self-care
  • Self-neglect
  • Hoarding rubbish
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Aloofness
  • Untidiness
  • Emotional liability
  • Distortion of reality

When we talk of treating this ailment the very first step covers tests for each of these signs and symptoms as with this severity of this mental health issue can be determined.

Researched Causes of Diogenes Syndrome

When researched, it has been found that in half of the cases Diogenes Syndrome occurs due to medical effects of any other disorder, be that related to health or mental well being. Apart from this, some common causes of this mental health issue are aggressiveness, mental liability and sense of detachment.

Treating Diogenes Syndrome

This is one such condition that has not really gone under the diagnosis scanner in most of the patients. It has been found that the people suffering from Diogenes Syndrome usually do not trust anyone around and this sense of suspicion aggravates the condition even more. Records say that for an average 45% to 48% of people suffering from this mental health issue the mortality rate is around 5 years, which clearly states that not many are treated with proper medical attention.
For anyone afflicted with this syndrome, it becomes duty of family and friends to:

  • Work in a methodical way
  • join up for a cleanliness drive
  • assign cleaning and rubbish discarding tasks to the patient
  • Set a date for donating all those items that others would use and stick to it no matter whatsoever

It is to be known that people with Diogenes Syndrome usually feel ashamed when someone discovers their collection, thus this is the time when one needs to act smartly.


Popular posts from this blog

Keep Your Brain Active with these Amazing Tips

Like our body crave for nutrition to keep it going, our brain is no different. It also needs nutrition to keep it working smoothly regardless of the stress it has. We all know that we tend to lose our memory power as we age and it is taken as a normal thing. But it is not mandatory and we know that as well. It all depends on how you take it. Researches and studies along with a few surveys have invented certain facts and statistics according to which we can make our brain stronger and keep it active. So that it can take up the everyday challenges as a piece of cake. This article will take you around some valuable and easiest tips to keep your brain as young as it was when you were a toddler all set to explore the world around you. Kids are curious and famous teachers and experts always found saying that if we need to succeed in life, we need to think and behave like a kid – we need to be curious – all the time. You may find the tips given in the article as common as you do rou...

Common Symptoms and Causes of Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia)

Potassium is well known electrolyte which helps to control the electrical activity inside your body. It is a crucial mineral on the earth which is required for the optimal function of the body cells. Low level of potassium can affect the body cells function. People always suffered with the health issues like muscles loss, heart problems and nerves disorder because of low potassium. Potassium deficiency is well known as Hypokalemia in which potassium level rapidly decreased below to 3.5 mmol/L. This mineral is used by our body to breakdown essential carbohydrates and proteins. Apart from that, Potassium is used by body to build muscles and for the better functions of body cells. The balance of this electrolyte is mainly controlled by the kidney. The main function of the kidney is to remove waste materials including excess potassium into urine. Causes for Hypokalemia (low potassium) Most of us believed that Hypokalemia is normally experienced by people due to the intake of unhealth...

Know About Sciatica Symptoms and treatments

Sciatica is a medical condition which is associated with the Sciatica nerve. It is a largest nerve in the body and begins from the nerves root in the spinal cord and ends in the lower limb. The irritation of the sciatica nerve causes pain which may be mild or extreme. In medical term, it is known as sciatica nerve pain which is occurred because of lumbar disc herniation. Extreme pressure on the nerve, irritation and inflammation are the causes that increase the risk of sciatica nerve pain. Causes of Sciatica It is believed that narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower bck is the main cause for the sciatica. And this condition is medically termed as Lumber Spinal Stenosis. Apart from that, Degenrative disc disease, Spondylolisthesis and pregnancy are the common causes for the sciatica pain. This condition is very painful if the victims is overweight, living unhealthy lifestyle and sleeping on soft mattress. Common Symptoms of Sciatica Lower back pain is a very common sy...