Self-neglect is a behavioral condition in which an individual neglects to attend to their basic needs, such as personal hygiene, appropriate clothing, feeding, or tending appropriately to any medical conditions they have. It is a general term used to describe a vulnerable adult living in a way that puts his or her health, safety, or well-being at risk.Extreme self-neglect can be known as Diogenes syndrome.
Signs and Symptoms of Self-Neglect
- Poor personal hygiene.
- Poor medication management.
- Lack of essential food, clothing or shelter.
- Malnutrition and/or dehydration.
- Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions.
- Neglecting household maintenance.
- Hoarding.
- Hostility and aggression towards others.
- Non-compliance with health or care services.
- Lack of adequate food in house or signs of weight loss.
Treatment
Treatment may involve treating the cause of the individual’s self-neglect, with treatments such as those for depression, dementia or any physical problems that are hampering their ability to care for themselves.Treatment can involve care workers providing home care, attending to cleansing, dressing or feeding the individual as necessary, without reducing their independence and autonomy any more than is essential.
Some studies recommend few test to find the cause of Self-Neglect
- Imaging tests to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
- Personality assessments, which may shed light on the root cause of the syndrome.
