DIOGENES-SYNDROME - REVIEW AND CASE-HISTORY

Our objective in writing this paper was to present a case of Diogenes' syndrome and to examine the evolution of thinking about the phenomeno n. To do this we looked at original case material and then carried out a literature review, the results of this showed the syndrome has been reported most often in the elderly and in higher socioeconomic groups . It represents a non-specific final common pathway for many interacti ng variables. In our conclusion we found that a detailed multidiscipli nary assessment is indicated in all cases. Further work is required to estimate the role of personality disorder and organic frontal lobe dy sfunction in the aetiology of this syndrome, A multiaxial approach to diagnosis should be employed. Intervention should be based on objectiv e findings and risk-assessment, rather than on ideological grounds. Ir ish law does not allow a large variety of options to the helping profe ssions.