A Self-Care Deficiency Syndrome: Self-Neglect

Abstract

Self-neglect is the individual's failure to show the necessary attention and care in his own care. Self-neglect manifests itself as non-adherence to treatment, failure to maintain personal and environmental hygiene, and maladaptive health behaviours. At the global level, although self-neglect is frequently seen especially in the elderly population, it is seen in all age groups and especially in disease groups where disability is in question and their caregivers. Self-neglect, which is divided into two categories as intentional and unintentional, is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Failure to maintain accepted self-care standards caused by self-neglect threatens not only personal but also public health and well-being and increases the burden of health services and health care costs. Self-neglect is difficult to detect because individuals are isolated and do not have the risk of directly harming themselves. Due to reasons such as non-compliance with current treatment, ineffective health management, these individuals' access to the health system is disrupted and the diagnosis and intervention of self-neglect is delayed because they only apply to health services in emergencies. Health professionals working in the field of public health and mental health, especially community mental health professionals, have important responsibilities for the diagnosis and intervention of self-neglect.