Abstract
Some names appear to stick to syndromes or diseases like a proverbial glue, regardless of their total inappropriateness. Gross self-neglect in old age characterised by domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, tendency to hoard rubbish (syllogomania) and a lack of shame was originally reported by Macmillan & Shaw in 1966 and subsequently ‘christened’ by Clark et al as Diogenes∗ syndrome in 1975. Post (1982) preferred the term ‘senile recluse’ and argued that this is not a syndrome but merely an end stage of personality disorder. It was usually extremely difficult to help these patients, as one's care and goodwill often met with hostility and blunt refusal to cooperate (Cybulska & Rucinski, 1986). More recent studies, however, have shown a strong association of this condition with frontal lobe dysfunction (Orrell & Sahakian, 1991), thus giving a psychiatrist of old age a somewhat firmer basis for action.
Highlights
It is high time to exonerate Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher of the fourth century BC, from any relationship with the above predica ment
As a prototype of cynism, Diogenes advocated self-sufficiency, freedom from social restrain and rejection of all luxury. He regarded happiness as a quality possessed within oneself, unrelated to material wealth and status. He lived as he preached, sleeping rough in public build ings and begging for food, reducing his earthly needs to the barest minimum
A widowed Russian aristo crat can hardly be challenged for the title: The room was dark and only barely lit by a bright light coming from a big crack at the bottom of the door
Summary
It is high time to exonerate Diogenes of Sinope, a Greek philosopher of the fourth century BC, from any relationship with the above predica ment. As a prototype of cynism, Diogenes advocated self-sufficiency, freedom from social restrain and rejection of all luxury. He was said to venture daily to the market place with a lighted lantern in broad daylight in search of an honest man.
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