Self-neglect

Self-neglect is a behavioral condition in which a person fails to attend to their own basic needs, such as personal hygiene, suitable clothing, adequate feeding, or the care of any medical conditions they have. More broadly, any lack of self-care in health, hygiene and living conditions can be described as self-neglect, and its extreme form is sometimes called Diogenes syndrome. Sources distinguish an intentional, active form, in which a person consciously chooses to neglect themselves, from a non-intentional, passive form that follows from health conditions such as brain injury, dementia or mental illness. Poor hygiene can let sores and minor wounds become infected and can worsen existing illness, and isolation and refusal of help are common. Risk factors listed include advancing age, cognitive impairment, depression, chronic illness, alcohol and substance misuse and social isolation. Because societies hold differing views of acceptable living standards, managing it involves clinical, social and ethical judgment. The atlas records what is described in the literature and gives no medical advice.