In the field of strange mental illnesses we encounter truly rare disorders. But among all of them, peculiar attention deserves the Diogenes syndrome. To illustrate it, we invite you to imagine the following situation: One day you turn on your television and you come across a program in which a person goes to another person’s house to help him order and get rid of an absurd amount of objects that he has been accumulating. The host suffers, cries and understands that it is not possible to live like this, but he cannot get rid of his things. What happens to them?, you may have wondered. Well this person suffers from a mental disorder, hoarding syndrome, also known as Diogenes syndrome. Today in Supercurioso we tell you what it is about. Join us!
The meaning and origin of Diogenes syndrome
The syndrome of accumulating things, although said lightly it seems that it would not represent major problems, can become a conflict even of public dimensions. When we talk about Diogenes syndrome, we refer to a mental disorder, which tends to affect older people more frequently. Usually, it is manifested in people who live alone and isolated from their environment, who begin compulsively to accumulate and accumulate objects.
This disorder takes its name from Diogenes of Sinope, an ancient Greek philosopher who was known as The Cynic. It is curious that in the history of this character, the fact that he got rid of all material belongings stands out, preaching the most extreme austerity. (Thing that is antagonistic to people suffering from Diogenes syndrome). However, it also tells the story that this man decided to live in the most absolute solitude and isolation, despising all social uses. This is a characteristic that patients with hoarding syndrome do share.
However, the accumulation by itself does not sound, at first glance, so serious. But in the case of Diogenes syndrome, it acquires such severe and pathological dimensions that it can even become a collective problem. People accumulate objects, garbage in an infinite variety. This can lead to the proliferation of insects or rats, in addition to the bad smell that is usually present in people who suffer from this disorder and the spaces they inhabit.
The most curious thing in this sense is that, although for the common gaze, these objects are nothing more than garbage or waste, for the person suffering from hoarding syndrome, all objects have “some meaning”. These are belongings that he considers important and valuable. There are even cases in which they can have them ordered and classified.
Causes of Diogenes syndrome
As with most mental disorders or illnesses, Diogenes syndrome has multifactorial causes. In general terms, experts agree that it is a disease conditioned to the elderly. And in this sense, it can originate from a simple situation of isolation, in which the person tends to neglect their hygiene habits and general social customs.
But other mental problems can also appear, such as triggers for hoarding syndrome. For example, It is usually associated with patients suffering from depression or senile dementia. Now, despite the fact that the majority of medical opinion tends to defend that it is a disease of the elderly, the reality is that the symptoms of Diogenes syndrome can begin to appear long before reaching old age. Those who have studied the disorder state that the loss of a partner can also be an issue that triggers its worsening.
Symptoms of Diogenes syndrome
The syndrome of accumulating things, although it is accentuated in old age, begins to show signs of its existence in the person’s psyche much earlier. However, once the disorder set in, shows symptoms that are difficult to confuse. Among them, the following stand out:
- The neglect of personal hygiene, health care and good nutrition.
- The obsessive crowding attitudes garbage and objects without any use.
- The antisocial behavior, that can go from a simple detachment to an attitude of marked isolation.
- The lack of awareness about the problem and to the consequences that it can generate both for one’s own health and integrity and for the social environment.
Types of hoarding syndrome
There are many cases of this syndrome that have been registered for study. And it is precisely they who have made it possible to define the syndrome of accumulating things under two generalized typologies. These will depend on the stage in which the disorder can be detected. First, it appears active Diogenes syndrome. This occurs when the person who suffers from it goes out directly and actively to look for garbage. and objects that you do not need to pile them up in your home.
In addition to Diogenes syndrome, there are other disorders and conditions that are truly curious, and that affect the well-being and quality of life of the people who suffer from them, as well as their entire environment. For this reason, we have decided to leave you with this short selection with surprising and amazing syndromes, which are worth knowing.
And you, Did you know the peculiar Diogenes syndrome? Do you know of anyone who suffers from hoarding syndrome? How do you think the people around you experience this disorder? Dare to leave us all your opinions in a comment. We will be happy to read you! See you in an upcoming supercurious article!