Urethral insertion of foreign bodies. A report of contagious self-mutilation in a maximum-security hospital.
Six male patients in a maximum-security hospital committed acts of urethral self-mutilation by insertion of a foreign body. The characteristics of the self-mutilators and of this unusual form of self-mutilation are described. The social contagion aspects of the self-mutilation are strongly suggested by the perpetration of urethral insertion for the first time by five patients after direct personal contact with a previous urethral self-mutilator. Techniques used in the management of these patients are described. Self-mutilation evokes strong emotional responses in staff members, and proper patient management also must include attention to the needs and concerns of treatment staff.
D000328:Adult; D002369:Castration; D003192:Compulsive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000523:psychology*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D009042:Motivation; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012056:Reinforcement, Social; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D014521:Urethra