Our objective in writing this paper was to present a case of Diogenes' syndrome and to examine the evolution of thinking about the phenomenon. 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 socio-economic groups. It represents a non-specific final common pathway for many interacting variables.
In our conclusion we found that a detailed multidisciplinary assessment is indicated in all cases. Further work is required to estimate the role of personality disorder and organic frontal lobe dysfunction in the aetiology of this syndrome. A multiaxial approach to diagnosis should be employed. Intervention should be based on objective findings and risk-assessment, rather than on ideological grounds. Irish law does not allow a large variety of options to the helping professions.
