title: Self-injurious behaviour and the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: a clinical study and review of the literature.
abstract: Thirty (33%) of 90 patients with the Gilles de la Tourette syndrome exhibited self-injurious behaviour. Fourteen were head bangers, of whom two had cavum septum pellucidum. Clinical correlates of self-injury were the severity of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome symptoms and psychopathology, with special reference to obsessionality and hostility. We discuss an additional patient who died from a subdural haematoma as a result of head banging, and three who had permanent vision impairment from self inflicted eye injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University College, Middlesex Hospital, School of Medicine, London.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Trimble
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lees
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*