ABSTRACT
Introduction: The hoarding syndrome or Diogenes syndrome, erroneously named from the ancient Greek philosopher, although he live a monastic life and no mention of neglected hygiene. Hoarding is the excessive collection of objects, without any emotional or practical value, while the person has inability to reject some of them. The hoarding syndrome affects thinking, emotions and behavior.
Purpose: Of this paper is to present the characteristics, signs and symptoms of hoarding syndrome, as well as, evaluating and treating this. Furthermore, to investigate whether is about a symptom, syndrome or disorder.
Literature Review: The literature has been searched, both Greek and foreign language on the internet, with key-words: nursing intervention, hoarding syndrome, Diogenes syndrome. For the first time the hoarding syndrome attracted the interest of the scientific community, in America, in 1947, when two brothers who lived in a stone house with three stores, found dead and the whole house entailed 120 tons of heterogeneous materials. The hoarding syndrome appears as a symptom in other neuropsychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, dementia), but more often found in OCD. The Clark and el (1975) were first described in their article, entitled «Diogenes syndrome», the behavioral disorder as a strong self-abandonment, worthless and useless collection of things, social withdrawal, lack of insight and refusal to accept help and therapy. The signs and symptoms of the syndrome include: messy living quarters, weakness rejection of useless things, things unnecessary movements while no rejection of some of them, dysfunction in daily activities and procrastination in decision making. Also, perfectionism and difficulty in organizing objects, discomfort when there is interference from the familiar environment. Risk factors for the syndrome are associated with age, family environment, stressful life events, social isolation and perfectionism.
Conclusions: Hoarding syndrome is a serious risk to public health. The person is in danger at the social, psychological, physical and leading to reduced quality of life. Treatment includes psychopharmacology, cognitive-behavioral therapy, education and social support. Patients should be treated in such a way that helps them to trust their health professionals.
Key-words: hoarding syndrome, Diogenes syndrome, treatment, intervention
