Psychiatria pre prax 1/2012
Diogenes syndrome – syndrome of extreme self-neglect
Diogenes syndrome is a rare and less well-known syndrome occurring mainly in old people living alone. It is manifested by extreme self-neglect, living in poverty and unsanitary conditions, social isolation and often also by collection of different unnecessary things (syllogomania). Syndrome incidence is 0.5 to 0.7 per 1 000 in population over 60 years. About half of people with this syndrome have mental illness, most often dementia, schizophrenia or addiction.
Keywords: Diogenes syndrome, extreme self neglect, hoarding.
