DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
HOARDING AND SENILE SQUALOR SYNDROME
Hoarding disorder is a type of human behaviour which is characterised by excessive accumulation of objects and things in the living spaces of one’s domestic sphere. It is characterised by the inability to discard these things or have the motivation to do so. When the clutter goes out of control and the person has absolutely no concern for the accumulated mess, it evolves into what is known as “Senile Squalor Syndrome.” This syndrome is also called “Diogenes Syndrome”. However, following are essential differences between the two that needs to be identified.
1. While it is common between hoarding disorder and squalor
syndrome that the person actively accumulates clutter, the difference is that a hoarder undergoes motivational dilemmas regarding the discarding of items. In case of a squalor syndrome patient, the motivation of discard is virtually not there. 2. A hoarder’s clutter will have some appearance of order whereas a squalor syndrome patient’s clutter will have absolutely no order. 3. A hoarder will have significant distress in functioning properly due to the clutter strewn around his/her living space. A squalor syndrome patient will have no awareness regarding the distraction his/her clutter is causing. 4. Hoarding disorder was formerly listed as a type of an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) but of recent, it is listed in DSM-V as a separate mental disorder as well as a symptom of OCD. Squalor syndrome patient might have comorbidities
such
as alcohol
abuse, head injuries,
schizophrenia, dementia, depression and even hoarding. 5. A hoarder might have an active social life whereas a squalor patient prefers to be cut off from the rest of the community and avoids social contact. Squalor syndrome patients are often suspicious of others and refuse to be helped. 6. Hoarders do not forsake basic personal hygiene to the extent
a squalor syndrome patient does. A squalor syndrome patient will neglect personal cleanliness and will co-exist with filth without botheration. 7. Hoarders can come from all walks of life. However, it has been observed that a squalor syndrome patient will usually come from a good social background and will be of above average intelligence. A squalor syndrome patient will not be financially drained – their clutter accumulation disorder will be more or less self-imposed. 8. A hoarder is motivated by the need of accumulating more and more junk. On the other hand, a squalor syndrome patient is motivated by a life of isolation. Bio-Cleanse Pty Ltd provides services in cleaning Hoarding and Squalor. Contact us at 042 741 1789 or Visit www.bio-cleanse.com.au