title: [Genital self-injury behavior--phenomenologic and differential diagnosis considerations from the psychiatric viewpoint].
abstract: There is only a small number of publications concerning psychiatric aspects of genital-self-mutilation, all of these are case reports. This presentation adds results of self-inflicted genital injuries in another seven males which are discussed in relation to relevant scientific literature focussing on psychopathology and dynamic considerations. It is argued that genital self-mutilations should primarily be considered as symptomatic behavioural patterns and that-beside quasi-normal psychological procedures as part of certain religious or cultural rituals-such acts can be interpreted as a common final pathway of a variety of psychopathological problems. The inclusion of sexually (co-)motivated genital-automutilations in a complete work up and analysis of this topic seems to be reasonable and is advocated by the authors. The assumption that genital self-injuries are more often seen in non-psychotic conditions than in productive psychotic states is substantiated. Finally, the relation between genital automutilations and self-harm in general is discussed and some recommendations on the management are listed.
authors.affiliation: Abt. Klinische Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Zentrum Psychologische Medizin, Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005783:Gender Identity; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology*; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*
vernacular_title: Genitale Selbstverletzungen--phänomenologische und differentialdiagnostische Uberlegungen aus psychiatrischer Sicht.