DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

HOARDING AND SENILE SQUALOR SYNDROME

Hoarding disorder is a type of human behaviour

which is characterised by excessive accumulation of
objects and things in the living spaces of ones
domestic sphere. It is characterised by the inability to
discard these things or have the motivation to do so.
When the clutter goes out of control and the person
has absolutely no concern for the accumulated mess,
it evolves into what is known as Senile Squalor
Syndrome. This syndrome is also called Diogenes
Syndrome.

However,

following

are

essential

differences between the two that needs to be

identified.

1. While it is common between hoarding disorder

and squalor syndrome that the person actively
accumulates clutter, the difference is that a
hoarder

undergoes

motivational

dilemmas

regarding the discarding of items. In case of a

squalor syndrome patient, the motivation of
discard is virtually not there.
2. A hoarders clutter will have some appearance of
order whereas a squalor syndrome patients
clutter will have absolutely no order.
3. A

hoarder

will

have

significant

distress

in

functioning properly due to the clutter strewn

around his/her living space. A squalor syndrome
patient will have no awareness regarding the
distraction his/her clutter is causing.
4. Hoarding disorder was formerly listed as a type
of an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) but
of recent, it is listed in DSM-V as a separate
mental disorder as well as a symptom of OCD.
Squalor

syndrome

comorbidities

such

patient
as

alcohol

might

have

abuse,

head

injuries,

schizophrenia,

dementia,

depression

and even hoarding.

5. A hoarder might have an active social life
whereas a squalor patient prefers to be cut off
from the rest of the community and avoids social
contact. Squalor syndrome patients are often
suspicious of others and refuse to be helped.
6. Hoarders do not forsake basic personal hygiene
to the extent a squalor syndrome patient does. A
squalor syndrome patient will neglect personal
cleanliness and will co-exist with filth without
botheration.
7. Hoarders can come from all walks of life.
However, it has been observed that a squalor
syndrome patient will usually come from a good
social background and will be of above average
intelligence. A squalor syndrome patient will not
be

financially

drained

their

clutter

accumulation disorder will be more or less selfimposed.

8. A

hoarder

is

motivated

by

the

need

of

accumulating more and more junk. On the other

hand, a squalor syndrome patient is motivated

by a life of isolation.
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Hoarding and Squalor.
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