Diogenes Syndrome

Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome, is a disorder characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, compulsive hoarding of garbage or animals, and lack of shame. Sufferers may also display symptoms of catatonia.[1][2]

The condition was first recognized in 1966[3] and designated Diogenes syndrome by Clark et al.[4] The name derives from Diogenes of Sinope, an ancient Greek philosopher, a Cynic and an ultimate minimalist, who allegedly lived in a large jar in Athens. Not only did he not hoard, but he actually sought human company by venturing daily to the Agora. Therefore, this eponym is considered to be a misnomer[5][6][7]. Other possible terms are senile breakdown, Plyushkin's Syndrome (after the Gogol character),[5] social breakdown and senile squalor syndrome.[8] Frontal lobe impairment may play a part in the causation (Orrell et al., 1989).[9]