Jean-François suffers from Diogenes syndrome, a behavioral disorder that leads to the accumulation of objects and waste at home.

At the microphone of Olivier Delacroix, on "La Libre antenna" of Europe 1, Jean-François confides to get out of it little by little and is preparing to start a new life in a new apartment.

TESTIMONY

Diogenes syndrome is a behavioral disorder that leads those who suffer from it to accumulate objects and waste at home, creating unhealthy living conditions.

Jean-François has been suffering from it since 2007. He developed this syndrome following his separation and the assaults he suffered in the performance of his duties as a firefighter.

Helped by his ex-wife, his daughter and social assistance, Jean-François has managed to empty his house and is preparing to live in a new apartment.

On "La Libre antenna", Jean-François tells Olivier Delacroix his way to overcome his Diogenes syndrome.

>> Listen to Jean-François' testimony in full here

"I have been a victim for several years of Diogenes syndrome. We pile up things in an apartment or a house and we do not throw anything. I am a professional firefighter. I have worked with vulnerable people whose apartments were filled with rubbish. . It was difficult to reach their bed. I did not think that one day, I would be in the same situation. I developed this syndrome since 2007, following my separation with the mother of my daughter. "We had to sell the house. In the end, she agreed to let me stay in the house by becoming her tenant. I had to maintain her, but I did the opposite."

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My Diogenes syndrome has encroached on my professional life

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There are several degrees of Diogenes syndrome. I tend to collect. I wasn't piling up trash, it was magazines, DVDs, or books. It took up a lot of space. By dint of buying DVDs, I fell into a spiral of overconsumption. I am over-indebted. It's ending, but I'm compulsive shopping. All this combined means that I am under curatorship. My curator is my daughter's mother. The family judge accepted that she be my curator, because we were separated.

My Diogenes syndrome also interfered with my professional life.

In the room I occupied at the barracks, it was obvious that I had the syndrome.

I had a locker room, but it was overflowing.

I developed this syndrome because of an accumulation of emotional shocks: my separation and the many assaults I suffered at work.

They were verbal and physical assaults, during operations that went wrong.

I was harmed because colleagues no longer wanted to work with me.

They weren't at peace when they went to intervene with me.

These assaults made my syndrome worse. 

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There was so much mess in the house that I couldn't push the front door anymore

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Right now, I see the end of the tunnel. I have applied for my early retirement since September 2020 to be able to empty the house I occupy. I am psychologically followed. I regularly see a psychologist, but also a psychiatrist. I am helped by the social worker of the fire brigade and by the mother of a daughter who helps me to empty this house and who found me an apartment. I have to return the keys to the house soon. Now I normally live in the house. I can walk around in any room, but it's a daily struggle. 

Six months ago, I was sleeping in my car because I couldn't get into my house anymore.

There was so much mess in the house that I couldn't push the front door anymore.

I would put up a ladder and go through the bathroom window on the first floor into the house.

When my daughter found out, she alerted her mom and the firefighter's social worker.

I have ruined my life for years because of this syndrome.

I could no longer receive my daughter or my colleagues.

>> Find Olivier Delacroix's Libre antenna every evening on Europe 1 from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. as well as in replay and podcast here

I'm moved because I didn't think I could get out of it. I'm on the right track. Diogenes syndrome is not inevitable. We can get out of it. But I did not act alone, I was helped. I only received help from women: the firefighter's social worker, my ex-sister-in-law and my ex-wife. My daughter also came to help me when she could. She always wanted me to get out of it. I finally get my head out of the water. I begin to relive. I feel liberated. I am no longer anxious.

I lost my sister a year ago. The last time I got her on the phone, I told her I had Diogenes Syndrome and made a promise to her that I was going to be okay. Almost a year later, I finally keep that promise. I will turn a big page. I continue to be followed by the social worker. It's for my own good, it's not cops. I must not repeat this in the apartment I am going to occupy. It's a new start."