Hostname: page-component-5c6d5d7d68-lvtdw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-08-15T21:45:54.475Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Diogenes' syndrome: review and case history

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Brian O'Shea  and
Jane Falvey
Brian O'Shea
Affiliation:
Newcastle Hospital, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, Ireland
Jane Falvey
Affiliation:
St. Senan's Hospital, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Our objective in writing this paper was to present a case of Diogenes' syndrome and to examine the evolution of thinking about the phenomenon. To do this we looked at original case material and then carried out a literature review, the results of this showed the syndrome has been reported most often in the elderly and in higher socio-economic groups. It represents a non-specific final common pathway for many interacting variables.

In our conclusion we found that a detailed multidisciplinary assessment is indicated in all cases. Further work is required to estimate the role of personality disorder and organic frontal lobe dysfunction in the aetiology of this syndrome. A multiaxial approach to diagnosis should be employed. Intervention should be based on objective findings and risk-assessment, rather than on ideological grounds. Irish law does not allow a large variety of options to the helping professions.

Keywords

Diogenes' syndromeNeglectSqualorPersonalityFrontal lobe
Type
Case Report
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 115 - 116
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Magnusson, M. Chambers biographical dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers, 1990.Google Scholar
2.Clark, ANG, Mankikar, GD, Gray, I. Diogenes syndrome: a clinical study of gross neglect in old age. Lancet 1975; 1: 366–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Cattell, RB, Stice, GF. Handbook of the 16 personality factor questionnaire. Illinois: Institute for personality and ability testing, 1957.Google Scholar
4.Wrigley, M, Cooney, C. Diogenes' syndrome – an Irish series. Ir J Psych Med 1992; 9: 37–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.MacMillan, D, Shaw, P. Senile breakdown in standards of personal and environmental cleanliness. BMJ 1966: ii: 1032–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6.Snowden, J. Uncleanliness among persons seen by community health workers. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1987; 38: 491–4.Google Scholar
6a.Vostanis, P, Dean, C. Self-neglect in adult life. Br J Psychiatry 1992; 161: 265–7.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Cole, AJ, Gillett, TP, Fairbairn, A. A case of senile self-neglect in a married couple: ‘Diogenes a deux’? Internat J Geriat Psychiatry 1992; 7: 839–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8.Payne, A, McCarthy, M, Kelleher, MJ. The clinical problems evoked by a case of Diogenes syndrome. Ir J Psychiatry 1994; 15(2): 2–3.Google Scholar
9.O'Mahony, D, Evan, JG. Diogenes' syndrome by proxy. Br J Psychiatry 1994; 164: 705–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Cybulska, E, Rucinski, J. Gross self-neglect in old age. Br J Hosp Med 1986; 36:21–5.Google ScholarPubMed
11.Gannon, M, O'Boyle, J. Diogenes' syndrome. Ir Med J 1992; 85: 124.Google ScholarPubMed
12.Cooney, C, Hamid, W. Review: Diogenes' syndrome. Age Ageing 1995; 24: 451–3.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Berlyne, N. Diogenes' syndrome. Lancet 1975; i: 515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Gregory, CA, Hodges, JR. Dementia of frontal type and the focal lobar atrophies. Internat Review Psychiatry 1993; 5: 397–406.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15.Orrell, MW, Sahakian, BJ. Dementia of the frontal lobe type. Psychol Med 1991; 21: 553–6.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.MacAnespie, H. Diogenes' syndrome. Lancet 1975; i: 750.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Beatson, AW. Imaginary poverty. Br Med J 1960;:ii: 468.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18.Smith, SLH. Diogenes syndrome. Lancet 1975; i: 515.Google Scholar
19.Twomey, J. Diogenes syndrome. Lancet 1975; i: 515.Google Scholar
20.Department of Health. White paper: a new mental health act. Dublin: Stationary Office, 1995.Google Scholar