#Diogenes syndrome. series#

Self-neglect and social isolation is extremely common in people with Diogenes Syndrome.

Generally, Diogenes Syndrome occurs with other mental disorders like dementia. It results in the individual having extremely poor hygiene causing health as well as social issues. Keywords: Diogenes syndrome, senile squalor, social breakdown, hoarding, Chinese culture. Diogenes Syndrome is a psychologic condition where the patient lacks self-care and even does not take care of the surroundings. The plausible psychological etiologies are discussed in the context of existential values in Chinese culture and changes in traditional family dynamics as the society modernizes. Neither psychopathology nor social situations could adequately account for the initiation and perpetuation of Diogenes syndrome in some cases. Other diagnoses such as schizophrenia and alcohol abuse were diagnosed in this cohort as co-morbid or independent conditions. Background Diogenes syndrome is a behavioural disorder characterized by domestic squalor, extreme self-neglect, hoarding, and lack of shame regarding ones. Most of our clients suffered from different stages of dementia.

A diverse clinical and socio-demographic profile was observed. Eighteen elders (aged 65 and over) fulfilled the classical symptoms of Diogenes syndrome (extreme squalor, neglected physical state, unhygienic condition & social isolation with or without hoarding). The syndrome has been reported to occur in association with a wide variety of conditions, but the present authors were unable to find any previous reports of Diogenes' syndrome in patients with intellectual disability.

#Diogenes syndrome. series#

Sau Man Sandra Chan 1, Pui Yiu Vivian Leung 2, Fung Kum Helen Chiu 1ġDepartment of Psychiatry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong 2Department of Psychiatry, Shatin Hospital, New Territories East Cluster, Hong KongĪbstract: We review a consecutive case series of elders presenting to a regional psychogeriatric service in Hong Kong in 1996–2001. Diogenes' syndrome is characterized by marked self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal and hoarding of rubbish (syllogomania).