Male genital self-mutilation with special emphasis on the sociocultural meanings

Abstract

Complete genital self-mutilation (GSM), mostly a non-suicidal behavior, is a rare occurrence among patients with psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. This case report is on a patient who, in the shadow of severe psychotic manifestations with overwhelming socio-cultural contents, completely self-mutilated his external genitals. Emergency surgical and psychiatric management improved his condition over 4 weeks. In the light of this case, the psychodynamic and socio-cultural meanings of GSM are discussed.