Citation

Large M, Babidge N, Nielssen O. Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 2012; 33(1): 13-18.

Affiliation

Mental Health Service, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Mental Health Service, Sutherland Hospital, Caringbah, Australia; and Mental Health Service, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PAF.0b013e3181dd5b47

PMID

20386304

Abstract

BACKGROUND:: Little is known about the psychiatric state of patients who stab themselves in the brain (intracranial self-stabbing), including whether the behavior is usually an attempt to commit suicide and whether it is performed in association with symptoms of psychotic illness. METHOD:: A search for cases of intracranial self-stabbing in New South Wales, Australia (NSW), and a systematic search for published case reports of intracranial self-stabbing. RESULTS:: We located 5 cases in NSW in the last 10 years and 47 published case reports of intracranial self-stabbing since 1960. Intracranial self-stabbing was associated with a diagnosis of a psychotic illness in 27 of 49 (55%) cases in which a diagnosis was available. Intracranial self-stabbing was not always performed with the intention of committing suicide and does not usually have a fatal outcome. CONCLUSIONS:: Intracranial self-stabbing appears to be an under-recognized form of self-harm that is associated with, but not limited to, psychotic illness.

Language: en