Domestic squalor and hoarding, a new diagnosis in DSM-5: confined field study

Introduction: Domestic squalor which is caused by many psychiatric and not psychiatric diseases may lead to many serious problems for patients and their intimates. In our country there are not any data about the prevalence and the reasons of these houses. In this study, within the scope of Community Mental Health Service, it is aimed to locate these houses in Zeytinburnu and to gather information about the patients and their intimates and to evaluate the people living in these houses according to Hoarding, a new DSM-5 diagnosis. Methods: Within the scope of Zeytinburnu Community Mental Health Center, some field scanning has been done and domestic squalor have been evaluated with Living Condition Rating Scale for one year. In this scale, the socio-demographic data which have been got from the patients who live in the houses which are labeled as moderate-squalor and severe squalor and features of the disease are evaluated. Findings: Forty-two moderate squalor and severe squalor have been reached in a year in Zeytinburnu and it has been determined that 103 people live in these houses. Sixty people out of 103 have had a psychiatric disease (psychotic disorder 27-26.2%, common developmental disorder and mental retardation 16-15.5%, dementia 7-6.8%, alcohol drug addiction 6-%5.8 and mood disorder 4-3.9%). Forty-one of these people (39.9%) have had the litter houses as a result of inconvenient storage of things. 13 patients who store things show the symptoms of DSM-5 Hoarding disorder. Discussion: Domestic squalor is a serious mental health and social health problem in our country as in developed counties. In other countries, especially there are people who live alone in these houses, whereas in our study it is found that more than one person, whether they are sick or not, live in these houses. It is essential for community mental health centers to determine the psychiatric patients who live in these houses and to be organized to arrange the necessary interventions. [Anadolu Psikiyatri Derg 2014; 15(4.000): 289-295]