Skip to main content
African Journal of Urology
Download PDF
  • Case Report
  • Published:

Genital self-mutilation in schizophrenic patients. A report of two cases

African Journal of Urology volume 15, pages 189–191 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder that requires long-term treatment. Poor adherence to medication can lead to serious and possibly life-threatening complications. Genital self-mutilation has been reported in some schizophrenic patients in response to delusions or command auditory hallucination. We report two patients with schizophrenia who carried out genital self-mutilation in response to delusional belief.

References

  1. Feldman MD. The challenge of self-mutilation: A review. Compr.Psychiatry. 1988; May–Jun;29(3):252–269.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Zislin J, Katz G, Raskin S, Strauss Z, Teitelbaum A, Durst R. Male genital self-mutilation in the context of religious belief: The Jerusalem syndrome. Transcultur. Psychiat. 2002; Jun 1;39(2):257–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Mishra B. Genital self-amputation for urinary symptom relief or suicide? Ind.J.Psychiat. 2001;43(4):342–344.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Moufid K, Joual A, Debbagh A, Bennani S, El Mrini M. [Genital self-mutilation. Report of 3 cases] L’automutilation génitale: A propos de 3 cas. Prog.Urol. 2004; Sep;14(4):540–543.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Aboseif S, Gomez R, McAninch JW. Genital self-mutilation. J.Urol. 1993; Oct;150(4):1143–1146.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Martin T, Gattaz WF. Psychiatric aspects of male genital self-mutilation. Psychopathology. 1991;24(3):170–178.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Myers WC, Nguyen M. Autocastration as a presenting sign of incipient schizophrenia. Psychiatr.Serv. 2001; May;52(5):685–686.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Waugh AC. Autocastration and biblical delusions in schizophrenia. Br.J.Psychiatry. 1986; Nov;149:656–658.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hall DC, Lawson BZ, Wilson LG. Command hallucinations and self-amputation of the penis and hand during a first psychotic break. J.Clin.Psychiatry. 1981; Aug;42(8):322–324.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Clark RA. Self-mutilation accompanying religious delusions: A case report and review. J.Clin.Psychiatry. 1981; Jun;42(6):243–245.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. World Health Organization (WHO). International Classification of Disease (ICD). 10th ed. Geneva: World Health Organization (WHO); 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  12. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 4th ed.: American Psychiatric Association; 1994.

  13. Martyns Yellowe IS. The burden of schizophrenia on the family. A study from Nigeria. Br.J.Psychiatry. 1992; Dec;161:779–782.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Zaria, Nigeria

    A. J. Yusuf

  2. Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika, Zaria, Nigeria

    A. Bello, M. L. Abubakar & N. H. Mbibu

Authors
  1. A. J. Yusuf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Bello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. L. Abubakar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. H. Mbibu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. J. Yusuf.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yusuf, A.J., Bello, A., Abubakar, M.L. et al. Genital self-mutilation in schizophrenic patients. A report of two cases. Afr J Urol 15, 189–191 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12301-009-0035-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12301-009-0035-2

Key Words