Diogenes syndrome is found primarily in seniors and is associated with significant hygiene negligence, breaking contacts even with the closest family and pathological gathering. It is not entirely clear what is the cause of this unit, but what is definitely worse, medicine does not know the methods of treatment. So, what exactly is Diogenes syndrome and what to do when this type of disorder occurs in an elderly person close to us?

Diogenes syndrome(Diogenes syndrome) is a problem that has been talked about since 1966 - it was then that his first case was described. The name of the disorder comes from the name of the ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes, who lived in … a barrel of a suitable size.

There is a lot of controversy related to Diogenes syndrome in general, and in fact it arises when you start to analyze the name of this ailment. Well, the team is associated with, among others social isolation and gathering, while the above-mentioned Greek not only met with other people often, but also - at least according to available descriptions - did not collect any unnecessary items.

In fact, Diogenes syndrome can develop in people of any age, but most often it is found in people over 60 years of age. Accurate statistics on its prevalence are hard to come by - one of the problems with this disorder is isolation from society, so many cases of Diogenes syndrome simply go undiagnosed. However, it is estimated that around 0.05% of people aged 60 or over may struggle with this condition.

Diogenes syndrome: causes

Diogenes syndrome is not considered a disease, but rather a behavioral disorder. It is not entirely clear what leads to the development of this problem - sometimes patients develop the so-called primary Diogenes syndrome, where it is impossible to find any other disease that could contribute to its occurrence, and sometimes a secondary form of the syndrome, associated with some other entities, primarily with various mental disorders or diseases.

It is also noted that the Diogenes syndrome may be preceded by the experience of extremely stressful events. Such is primarily a death of some kinda very close person (e.g. spouse).

Sometimes the syndrome is one of the symptoms of dementia. Due to the fact that an individual is associated with disturbances in decision-making and habit control, some researchers suggest that damage related to the above-mentioned processes of the brain centers may contribute to its occurrence - in this case it is the prefrontal cortex of the brain.

Diogenes syndrome: symptoms

The Diogenes syndrome is associated with irregularities in several spheres, which are personal hygiene, contacts with other people and the accumulation of unnecessary things. More specifically, the symptoms of Diogenes' syndrome include:

  • breaking contacts with other people (a patient suffering from this entity avoids contact even with his relatives, closes himself in his home and shows a clear reluctance in situations when he is to have contact with both strangers and people he knows)
  • hygiene negligence (regarding personal hygiene, even in the fact that the patient stops taking it completely, but also related to order in his immediate surroundings)
  • gathering (people with Diogenes syndrome can collect various items - even garbage - of the value of which they are surely convinced and which they absolutely do not allow anyone to throw away)
  • distrust, suspicion towards other people (these may lead to the patient behaving aggressively in contact with anyone)
  • food intake neglect

Diogenes syndrome - due to its symptoms - can lead to even very serious consequences. Due to lack of hygiene, patients may suffer from various skin diseases.

People with Diogenes syndrome are also at risk of malnutrition or cachexia.

It happens that collecting related to an individual results in the nesting of various worms or rodents in the home of a person suffering from them - this may, in turn, create problems for both the patient and people living in his vicinity.

Diogenes syndrome: recognition

There are no specific, strict criteria for the diagnosis of Diogenes syndrome - its name does not appear in the ICD-10 disease classification, nor in the DSM-5 psychiatric classification.

Here there are further controversies related to this problem - therefore it is not possible to clearly state whether the patient actually suffers from Diogenes syndrome.

One thing is certain, however: if this entity is suspected, the patient must definitely be taken into the care of doctors and havevarious studies performed. We are talking here about both laboratory tests and imaging tests (mainly concerning the structures of the nervous system).

It is often necessary to undergo a psychiatric examination - symptoms that suggest Diogenes' syndrome may in fact result from such problems as, inter alia, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder or depression. Another possible cause of the disorder associated with the syndrome is frontotemporal dementia.

Therefore, when the symptoms of Diogenes syndrome appear, it is necessary to thoroughly analyze the he alth condition and look for any possible diseases that could be related to its occurrence.

Diogenes syndrome: treatment

Unfortunately, there are no specific methods of treating Diogenes' syndrome - there are no known medications that, if administered to patients suffering from this unit, could lead to the resolution of their ailments.

The most important thing is the diagnostics described above - if a patient is diagnosed with, for example, some mental disorders, then it becomes necessary to apply the treatment typical for the given problem.

People with Diogenes syndrome have support from other people - their relatives, but also often, for example, from social care.

It is certain that a person suffering from this individual can absolutely not be left alone: ​​malnutrition or cachexia can eventually even lead to a threat to life.

Caring for a loved one who has Diogenes syndrome is certainly not easy - such a patient is usually hostile even to members of the immediate family, and persuading him to visit a doctor can be almost a miracle.

In this case, all that's left is just patience. Attempts to combat the collection of items can be fruitless for a long time, but if they are carried out delicately, they can be effective.

Efforts are also needed to overcome the aversion to other people, but here too, great caution is required.

If a doctor or a nurse is to visit a person with Diogenes syndrome, it is worth making sure that they are always the same people - then the greater chances are that the patient will eventually stop being hostile towards them.

About the authorBow. Tomasz NęckiA graduate of medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. He is focused at work with patientsto always listen to them and devote as much time as they need to them.

Category:

Psychiatry