A man who imprisoned himself in his home in a village in Xianxi, Hunan Province for 19 years was recently persuaded to leave the house and start caring for himself again, reports Changsha Evening News.

Zhou Siqing, 39, used to be a hardworking farmer, according to his mother, Ruan.

In 1983, his brother borrowed 2,000 yuan (US$240) to invest in a pig farm prior to getting married. But the brother ran away after the business went bust.

Zhou was at such a loss that he retreated into his home. Since 1984, he had not gone out to visit friends. He did not shave or wash his hands and face for the next 19 years.

Township government officials started visiting Zhou after learning his story in March.

They eventually encouraged him to take his first shower in nearly two decades and walk out of his self-imposed exile.

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