Diogenes Syndrome: More Than a Messy House

Diogenes Syndrome is a behavioral condition of the elderly characterized by severe hygiene neglect and hoarding. They ignore their personal cleanliness for extensive periods of time which does not seem to bother them. Those with Diogenes Syndrome also have a problem with excessive hoarding. They keep everything from collectibles to garbage to rotting food. Those afflicted with Diogenes Syndrome isolate themselves, live in unsanitary conditions voluntarily, have a distorted reality, and suffer from unpredictable mood swings. They are suspicious of others, stubborn, aggressive, and suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Other names for Diogenes Syndrome include Senile Breakdown, Social Breakdown, Senile Squalor Syndrome, and Messy House Syndrome.

According to Clinical Geriatrics, in 1966, Macmillan and Shaw were the first to suggest that senile breakdown in the standards of personal and environmental cleanliness is a syndrome. The name "Diogenes," is inspired by the 4th century B.C. Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who advocated the principles of self-sufficiency, freedom from social restraints, and rejection of material values. They explained that it may represent stress-related defense mechanisms of the elderly, or may be related to the natural aging process. In 1982, geriatric experts began debating that Diogenes Syndrome it is not a syndrome but merely an end stage of personality disorder. Since then, several case series of the syndrome have been reported, although not accepting help for their condition is typical of individuals suffering from Diogenes Syndrome, so there is no way to accurately quote statistics on this strange disorder.

Many people with Diogenes Syndrome also suffer from pneumonia and gangrene, although this is speculated to have to do more with poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions then with the syndrome itself. Research shows that only 50% of those diagnosed with Diogenes Syndrome have a psychiatric history, but there seems to be a connection between Diogenes Syndrome and those afflicted with paranoia and obsessive-compulsive personality traits. It is thought that Diogenes Syndrome is triggered by biological, psychological, or social stressors, but frontal lobe dysfunction is also a theory.

Some psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia and dementia may be related to Diogenes Syndrome, however, those conditions do not guarantee all schizophrenic and dementia patients will begin to exhibit signs of the disorder.

Not very much information is known about Diogenes Syndrome because they refuse help. The only people that seem to get diagnosed are those with a concerned family member or friend, although this is uncommon because sufferers tend to be quite anti-social and do not have successful social connections. At times, a neighbor will be prompted to call Social Services because of a stench, flies or rodents being seen around the residence, or the rare chance that one has to see the filth that Diogenes Syndrome patients live in.

It is important for readers to understand that just because one has a messy home and tends to isolate themselves does not mean they have Diogenes Syndrome. Diogenes Syndrome is a complicated illness that requires a medical evaluation. Several symptoms and traits must co-exist in order to be successfully diagnosed.

Sources:

Clinical Geriatrics, Diogenes Syndrome: When Self-Neglect Is Nearly Life-Threatening, http://www.clinicalgeriatrics.com/article/4518

Wikipedia, Diogenes Syndrome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diogenes_syndrome