"Trash Apartment" in Cannes: What is Diogenes Syndrome?
In a luxurious Cannes residence, behind the impeccable facades, an apartment has turned into a veritable dump. For years, a sixty-year-old has lived as a recluse in a 90m² apartment saturated with rubbish, even on the terraces.
Foul smells, rat infestation, fire risk: neighbors denounce a permanent danger and an " inhuman" situation.
The man, described as extremely unkempt, no longer washes, hoards entire bins and, according to some, no longer has functioning toilets.
Social and municipal services, despite being alerted several times, had not managed to resolve the problem.
Faced with growing anger, Cannes City Hall has taken legal action. It has obtained authorization to forcibly empty the property in the coming days, under the supervision of a bailiff and with the support of the police.
A major intervention, made necessary by an emblematic case of what is called Diogenes syndrome.
Diogenes syndrome is characterized by various behavioral disorders.
According to the eponymous website dedicated to this illness , it is "a form of behavioral disorder combining a tendency to accumulate objects (syllogomania), neglect of personal and domestic hygiene and, most often, pronounced social isolation without the slightest need to complain about this situation."
How to detect the disease?This same site also specifies that it is a disorder which mainly affects elderly people and generally occurs after a shock, such as the loss of a loved one, or following the death of their spouse.
It can also occur during a sudden change in situation.
According to the specialist website, it initially manifests itself in excessive neglect of personal hygiene and uncleanliness of the home.
Those around them will notice that "even surrounded by dirt or rubbish in their living space, the person suffering from the disorder always remains indifferent. This may involve keeping their rubbish in their home, keeping food packaging, newspapers and magazines, dishes, clothes, broken appliances, animals ( animal hoarding ), or even, in extreme and ultimately rare cases, their own excrement ."
Another factor that must be taken into account is social isolation.
The site states that those affected are no longer able to build relationships with their neighbors or family. They often feel misunderstood, even rejected.
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