Self-Amputation of the Breasts by a Male With Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Philip M. Coons M.D.1
1 Indiana University School of Medicine and a staff psychiatrist at Larue D. Carter Memorial Hospital, 1315 West 10th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
In addition to being the first reported case of self-amputation of the breasts by a male, Mr. M's case is unusual because the patient did not have symptoms of the diagnoses usually associated with self-mutilation, such as borderline and antisocial personality disorder, psychoses, or mental retardation. Although the patient's overtly sexualized self-injury was like that seen in psychotic individuals, a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder was not appropriate in this case.
The case is also unusual because the patient's self-mutilation was responsive to treatment. Self-mutilation is often difficult to treat, but this case shows that, at least in the context of some disorders, a multifaceted treatment approach may be effective in reducing this behavior.
