Self-mutilation of genitalia masquerading as suicide: A rare case report

Abstract

Genital self-mutilation is an uncommon, but severe form of self-injury. The causes of self-mutilation of genitalia are multiple that is, from command hallucination in psychotic disorder, drug intoxication, mental retardation, gender dysphasia to personality disorders. Self-mutilation of genitalia as a method of suicide is very rare in depression. Here we report a case of 28 year old male, who presented to emergency department with self-mutilation of genitalia as an attempt of suicide. Thus the clinician should always be watchful while dealing with self-mutilation in psychiatric patients, as sometimes self-mutilation of genitalia in psychiatric patients can present as suicide.