Noah’s Ark Syndrome
Noah’s ark syndrome is an obsessive-compulsive type of disease in which those who suffer from it cannot resist the irrepressible urge to accumulate animals in their home. They can be animals of different species (although they are usually dogs and / or cats), of the same species, abandoned, bought, etc.
In any case, and allowing for innumerable options, it seems that the fundamental diagnostic criterion is to accumulate more animals than the person can properly care for. It is something similar to the diogenes syndrome, but in this case it is not garbage and useless elements that accumulate, but animals.
The reasons for Noah’s Ark syndrome
The name of Noah’s Ark syndrome has been coined by the United States National Institute and is considered a growing social problem. Its origin is not well established, although it is true that in a large number of cases people who suffer from it begin to suffer accumulation impulses after a significant loss (death of a family member, or breakups, etc.).
The reason for this behavior always has to do with the need to protect animals, without being aware of the negative consequences it can have. Due to a loss or a breakup, the person tries to fill that void in which they project their deepest need: that of being cared for.
However, not being aware of this, what he does is house a series of animals in the home that he cannot cope with. The house then becomes a real mess. Feed them, educate them, not to scratch or eat certain items, to relieve themselves where they have to … All of this is considered impossible.
It is estimated that 4% of the population suffers from problems of this type. Cumulative images of people (garbage, objects, animals, etc.) evoke feelings of loneliness, isolation, and need. We only need to think about the image of a person surrounded by cats.
A common disorder in adults and the elderly
Indeed, this disorder is found more frequently in adults and the elderly who feel lonely or abandoned and lack affection. Animals, precisely, supply this need for affection and bonding as they provide companionship and affection.
Adults who have been abandoned by their partner or the elderly who are faced with the reality of the empty nest. The children are leaving home and what was once a home full of voices, screams and movement, is now filled with silence. This is something that many people cannot bear.
Although this syndrome is not yet recognized as a mental illness by the diagnostic classification systems and has not been studied with the depth that it requires, the high comorbidity with mood disorders indicates that a correct and exhaustive evaluation must be made to differentiate both diseases. .
In addition, once the problem has been diagnosed and defined, appropriate treatment is recommended, both at the level of individual psychological therapy and pharmacological, to guarantee a positive prognosis. This problem can be solved, as long as the person collaborates and does a job to be aware of what is happening to him. Next, we would like to share with you a talk that can clarify much better what Noah’s Ark syndrome consists of.
