title: Self-amputation of the ear: three men amputate four ears within five months.
abstract: Four instances are presented of self-amputation of the pinna of the external ear carried out by three right-handed, white males between January 1993 and May 1993. The common characteristics of these subjects--two men with personality disorder and one with schizophrenia--are discussed and compared with other examples of self-mutilation involving the face and ears, including that of van Gogh. A survey of Australian and New Zealand prisons was conducted to determine the frequency of this form of self-mutilation within the last five years, and yielded only one other case. Connections exist between the amputees supporting the notion that self-mutilation is "contagious"; the relevance of this to issues of management is considered.
authors.affiliation: Rockhampton Base Hospital, Central Regional Health Authority, Queensland.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Alroe
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gunda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology*