2. Squalor

What It Is

Squalor means living in very dirty or neglected conditions, sometimes linked with self-neglect. It may include poor hygiene, rubbish hoarding, or unsafe home environments.

Everyday Signs

Dirty floors, bathrooms, or kitchens left uncleaned for months.

Bad smells from rotting food or waste.
Poor self-care (not bathing or wearing clean clothes).
Withdrawing from friends or family.
Health hazards like infections or risk of falls.

Possible Reasons

Depression, dementia, schizophrenia.

Trauma or social isolation.
Physical disabilities.
Hoarding that makes cleaning impossible.

Lived Experience:

"I stopped noticing the smell after a while, but when my neighbour mentioned it, I felt ashamed. I wanted to fix it but didn’t know where to start. The thought of scrubbing everything was just too much."