Diogenes Syndrome: Symptoms, Treatments, Caregiving, and More [VIDEO]

Diogenes syndrome is a subset of the mental health disorder known as compulsive hoarding. It affects approximately 0.2 percent of the general population, or 10 percent of all hoarders. It is most common among old people. The disorder is equally distributed among men and women of all ages and socio economic status.

Diogenes syndrome is also common among people with above average intelligence, who are over 60 years, and people who live alone. Approximately 0.05 percent of Americans aged 60 years and older may have Diogenes syndrome. The syndrome is considered rare, but it is also true that no much research is conducted in the field.

According to Medical News, people living with Diogenes syndrome often show a severe self-neglect, isolation, hoarding, and may also live in unsanitary conditions. They are open to a skin condition called dermatitis passivata, an infection where a horny crust grows on the skin due to a lack of regular bath.

There are two major types of Diogenes syndrome namely, primary and secondary. In primary cases, the syndrome is not triggered by other medical conditions that an individual already has, while in secondary cases, the syndrome is a result of other mental health disorders.

Diogenes syndrome is also known as self-neglect syndrome, senile or severe social breakdown syndrome, senile squalor syndrome, and messy house syndrome. It is generally observed as a behavioral disorder

Signs and Symptoms

Symptoms of the Diogenes syndrome include poor comprehension of self-hygiene, public health, or general safety. It also includes paranoia or general suspiciousness, distrust of strangers or society, aloofness or detachment, Excessive hoarding or collecting of household items and waste and extreme social anxiety.

Other symptoms are obsessive compulsive tendencies, poor nutrition or diet, unsanitary or unsafe living conditions, unwillingness to accept outside help and intervention, fear or distrust of medical professionals and settings, Hostility and aggression towards others, distorted concept of reality and lastly, acute skin conditions due to poor personal hygiene, according to NCBI.

They possess a deep suspicion and distrust for doctors and authority figures. People with Diogenes syndrome usually keep many pets. They do not like to be observed and usually do not exhibit outward shame, although they feel ashamed when their hoarding is discovered. They often try change when they face eviction due to keeping things that are of no use.

Symptoms of Diogenes syndrome are sometimes difficult to distinguish from those of other medical conditions such as: Syllogomania, Schizophrenia, Mania, Frontotemporal dementia, depression, Obsessive personal disorder and alcoholism.  

Those who are more prone the syndrome are individuals who display the habit collecting or hoarding, younger individuals with lifelong mental illnesses and old people who have degenerative neurological diseases.

Treatments

There is no available formal diagnosis or treatment plan for the syndrome. Studies have recommended compiling a patient's complete medical and psychological history and performing a physical exam, blood and organ function tests to determine health baseline.

It is also recommended to do imaging tests so as to rule out the presence of other conditions that may cause similar symptoms. Some doctors encourage personality assessments, which may shed light on the root cause of the syndrome. There are no medications or therapy options recommended for managing the condition.

Medications designed or prescribed to treat other medical conditions may help alleviate symptoms. Psychological factors must also be taken into consideration, as they contribute to the development of the syndrome. Aggressive psychological therapy or counseling is sometimes necessary.

These treatments work best alongside other support systems such as help in cleaning, set a date and stick to it, work methodically, assign tasks and develop a workable system and donate all useful unwanted items.

People with Diogenes syndrome are often fearful of medical establishments so treatments are mostly carried out by home health or community care workers. It is advised that cases of Diogenes syndrome should be handled with caution, as patients are likely to refuse further aid and to return to prior behaviors if a they feel attacked, judged, or unsafe as a result of intervention.

Diogenes syndrome is a poorly understood behavioral condition generally associated with other conditions. The syndrome is not listed as a psychiatric disease in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.