Winter solstice

[NatureLover]

Sending care and hugs @Dimity 🫂

[Till23]

Sorry to hear this @Dimity 

I saw you were up late as I was too, I was trying to distract myself from today's task. I was hoping the sun would show up, but so far it's a no show.

If you want to chat, I'm jumping off and on today

[Shaz51]

Hugs @Dimity ,and sitting with you  🥰

[Dimity]

Thanks @NatureLover @Till23 @Shaz51 

Realising yet again how worrying a family situation is. I couldn't unwind until 4.30am then slept all morning. 

@Till23 what's your take on Diogenes syndrome and possible interventions? I don't think the situation ticks all the boxes but there are similarities.

[Till23]

Oh that sounds anxiety provoking, if you're up until 4am,

I often wake up around 4am, but at least I have been asleep and most usually I'll be able to go back to sleep.

With Diogenes, there is a large element of self-neglect and usually involves hygeine issues, which does not sound like you. As you try to pursue healthy activities, diet etc

It is not well studied and is not a diagnosis in DSM. Treatment is usually psychological, however few studies so efficacy not known. Again like most things there is a range of severity ans symptoms and there is overlap with hoarding, but the hygeine aspects are what makes it Diogenes

[Dimity]

Thanks @Till23 . It's someone else I'm more concerned about. They still have some self-awareness over personal hygiene - they make an effort before seeing their medical team - but have considerably less awareness or.insight re housekeeping.etc and loss of utilities.  It's very sad as they've refused assistance. We did intervene when a crisis occurred - which is when we became aware of the situation- but things  are going backwards again. 

[Till23]

Oh sorry @Dimity 

Assistance refusal is one of the symptoms. However, it is a symptom of many things so not diagnostic.

It is also called senile squalor syndrome, as it most commonly occurs in older people and is often occurs concurrently with dementia or mental illness. Recurrence it not uncommon due to lack of intervention/treatment.

[Dimity]

There's a MH component @Till23 but there's a neurological condition that might improve with treatment. It's hard to know how to support them. Before the neurological condition was diagnosed medics said it's a lifestyle choice and many people told me to walk away and sever ties. 

[Till23]

A lifestyle choice mmmm that's an interesting conclusion @Dimity . 

However, not that long ago, you could apparently just snap out of depression etc

The neurological condition might be the cause or exacerbating the underlying condition so that's interesting.

Of course, you need to look after yourself, because it is a difficult and persistent condition, so will be frustrating, especially depending on level of insight, the person may need, but not want support so it's a difficult one