Abstract

HUARCAYA-VICTORIA, Jeff; LEDESMA-GASTANADUI, Mario  and  REINOSO-SANTA CRUZ, Carmen. Self-mutilation of genitals and phalanges in a patient with schizophrenia: a case report. Rev Neuropsiquiatr [online]. 2016, vol.79, n.3, pp.172-179. ISSN 0034-8597.

Self-mutilation is a rare, yet dire and dramatic complication of various mental disorders, more frequently seen in psychotic patients with delusions of religious content. The most reported cases of major self-mutilation, which occurs suddenly and with considerable tissue damage affect the ocular, genital and limb areas. Some predisposing factors, clinical features and treatment approaches are reviewed a propos of the case of a 49-year-old male patient with chronic schizophrenia who had previously mutilated several phalanges in both hands and, recently, cut out his penis and testicles following orders from his hallucinations. The patient was treated with clozapine and valproic acid, showing behavioral improvement, but persistence of the imperative auditory hallucinations that compel him to amputate his right lower limb.

Keywords : Genital self-mutilation; schizophrenia; psychotic disorders.

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