Recognize diogenes syndrome, an extreme mental illness in the elderly

As they get older, the elderly (elderly) are at risk of experiencing many health problems. Starting from decreased mobility, senility, urinary incontinence (bedwetting), to withdrawing from the surrounding environment. In addition to physical health problems, the elderly can also experience psychological and social problems. In its most extreme conditions, this disorder is called Diogenes syndrome. How is the explanation? Check out the full review below.

Recognizing Diogenes syndrome in elderly people

Diogenes Syndrome is a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme neglect of self-care. Sufferers tend to withdraw from social situations, do not feel ashamed, and have a habit of piling up their belongings until they fall apart.

The elderly with this syndrome become indifferent to themselves. As a result, the house or room becomes very dirty, with spots and smells of urine and feces scattered everywhere, so that items are scattered in various corners of the room. This condition makes the elderly live in unsanitary conditions and can cause new problems such as pneumonia, frequent falls, and even fires that can threaten safety.

Therefore, Diogenes syndrome is known by many other names, such as severe dementia disorder, resignation syndrome, senile squalor syndrome, and messy house syndrome.

Signs and symptoms of Diogenes syndrome

The signs and symptoms of this syndrome appear over time. However, this condition is more visible in someone over the age of 60 and who has intelligence above average.

The most typical symptom is that sufferers tend to prefer to be alone without much interaction with other people and the environment. They often show strange behaviors and turn out to be very indifferent.

The easily observable symptoms of Diogenes syndrome are as follows:

• Skin rashes occur due to poor hygiene
• Tangled and disheveled hair
• Fingernails and toes tend to be long
• Body odor
• The appearance is not well maintained
• There is a wound that has no known cause
• Malnutrition or malnutrition
• Dehydration
• The living conditions are messy, dirty, and there are piles of things or garbage
• Refusing to help or help others

Diogenes syndrome risk factors

Although the symptoms appear gradually and over a long time, you need to be aware of the risk factors that can trigger this psychiatric syndrome. Risk factors are generally more likely to be traumatic due to past events, such as the death of a spouse or immediate family, retirement, divorce, loss of trusted friends, and a history of substance abuse.

Several medical conditions can also be a risk factor for symptoms, including:

• Dementia
• Congenital heart failure
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Vision problems
• Depression
• Loss of mobility due to arthritis or fractures
• Punch trauma

Diogenes syndrome diagnosis

People with this behavior disorder will rarely seek help or help in the disease they are experiencing. This is because sufferers are indifferent to themselves, let alone take care of the people around them. People around them will also be accustomed to being left alone, unless a family member or neighbor tries to take them to the doctor for further treatment.

This syndrome is of two types:

1. Primary diogenes syndrome, in which symptoms are not triggered by other medical conditions or mental illnesses.
2. Secondary diogenes syndrome, in which symptoms appear as a result of another mental illness.

To diagnose what type is being experienced, the doctor will examine the patient's behavioral and social history. Next will be a physical examination, blood screening, and brain imaging tests such as MRI or PET to identify causes that are still possible to treat.

So, how do you deal with Diogenes syndrome?

Unfortunately, this syndrome tends to be difficult to treat in some sufferers. However, that does not mean that there are no treatments that can be done to help treat this extreme behavior disorder. The type of treatment given also depends on the factors that cause the patient to experience diogenes syndrome. If it is caused by factors of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or depression, the patient will be given certain drugs to reduce these symptoms.

Some sufferers may require hospitalization or at least require the presence of a nurse to help handle it at home. However, support from family and people around them is a very important weapon to help manage the mental condition of patients with Diogenes syndrome.

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