Table 3. Behavior Patterns Commonly Reported by Cognitively Intact Self-Neglectors (n=69).

	n	% of subjects	illustrative field notes of personal experiences described by subjects
Significant financial instability	16	23	Owes money, can't afford meds…spends a lot of time worrying about financial situation…avoiding phone calls Struggles to pay fees on apartment…worries about financial situation…obsessed with making money Admits to buying things she cannot afford…over 20 credit cards with $40,000 on each one…very concerned about finances Had to sell [life insurance] for money…feeling depressed because paying bills is hard
Severe lifelong mental illness	11	16	Long history of depression since early teens…three suicide attempts, currently on disability for depression Schizophrenic…hospitalized several times…often had to take leave from work for being ‘sick’ Got laid off most jobs because…problems with depression and is bipolar…always in therapy Suffered from panic attacks since age 6…also suffered from depression since then
Mistrust of people or paranoia	9	13	Mistrust of people from young age….at 8 years, felt betrayed and didn't trust people after that People were really out to get him and wanted to ruin him…people have tried to kill him…scared Doesn't like to leave apartment…someone will come in…apartment broken into many times
Distrust and avoidance of the medical establishment	9	13	Afraid of being hospitalized…they would kill her Says doctors just like to write prescriptions…does not trust them…mother died of complications of mouth cancer so afraid to see the dentist Was sent to hospital…3 months there were the worst 3 months of her life She will not take any meds…when doctor prescribes [medications] tends not to go back to the doctor, believes that it poisons her
Substance abuse or dependence	9	13	Spends too much money on alcohol…almost evicted for failure to pay rent Started drinking in 40's…‘I know I had a problem’…long battle Abused alcohol…dependent on crack…realized it was leading him to financial ruin