November 03, 2023

#116 Hoarding vs squalor vs Diogenes Syndrome with Dr Jan Eppingstall

44 minutes

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In this episode, we're diving into the topic of squalor. Is it the same as hoarding? Can you have a squalid environment without hoarding being present? Compulsive hoarding and living in unsanitary conditions can have a profound impact on us. We'll explore the key factors and distinctions between hoarding and squalor, as well as the underlying causes that contribute to these behaviours. From acquired brain injuries and cognitive impairments to mental health disorders, we'll delve into the intricate web of reasons why people find themselves in these challenging situations. We'll also touch on the impact of substance misuse, the role of physical disabilities, and the link between hoarding and conditions such as dementia, schizophrenia, and OCD.

Join us as we explore the different characteristics, challenges, and possible solutions for hoarding and squalor. Whether you're facing hoarding tendencies yourself or seeking to understand these behaviours better, this episode is for you.

Differentiating Hoarding, Squalor, Clutter, and Collecting

Hygiene practices determined by culture.

Unsanitary living caused by physical disability, dementia, illness, brain injuries, psychiatric disorders

Long-term substance abuse damages brain's command centre

Hoarding and squalor pose health risks

Seek help for environmental neglect without shame

The definition of unsanitary is determined by cultural hygiene practices, varying across cultures

It relates to the reasonable person's judgment of cleanliness based on cultural norms.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and contamination fears

Substance abuse impairs decision making and damages the prefrontal cortex

Hoarding and squalor pose health risks due to unhygienic living conditions and food safety issues.

Prefrontal cortex damage explains dementia-related hoarding

Unsanitary environments can result from socioeconomic factors such as poverty and limited access to sanitation services

Lack of access to rubbish removal and funds for disposal

Hoarding behaviours can lead to unsanitary living conditions due to hoarding severity, clutter volume, and difficulty discarding items. This attracts vermin and causes shame

Living alone can lead to higher risk of unsanitary conditions

Seek professional help, consider NDIS support for disabilities

Clutter makes cleaning difficult

Impairment in decision-making due to substance abuse

Acquired brain injuries and neglect of personal and environmental hygiene

Impairment of the command centre of the brain

Deteriorating eyesight and its effect on recognising unsanitary areas

Isolation and lack of support for seniors

Loss and depression leading to neglect of hygiene

Self-neglect among hoarders

Characteristics of squalid living environments

1. Lack of purposeful clutter

2. Absence of emotional attachment to objects

3. Fear of objects that have touched other objects

Root causes of squalid environments

Waste management and food storage

Socioeconomic Factors

Access to education, poverty, and sanitation services

Challenges faced by people living in public housing

Role of support systems in overcoming squalor

Seeking help from mental health professionals and GPs

Overcoming shame

Challenges Faced by Aging Hoarders

Influence of injuries or loss on hoarding behaviours

Avoiding unhelpful and meaningless labels

Squalor cannot be overcome by willpower alone

Emotional and functional purposes driving hoarding behaviour

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