Penile Self-Mutilation Presenting as Rational Attempted Suicide

Abstract

Genital self-mutilation is rare, and reports suggest that it is usually associated with psychotic illness. We report a case in which penile self-mutilation was an attempt to commit suicide and justified as a rational action. The literature on genital self-mutilation is reviewed. It is argued that the strong association between genital self-mutilation and psychosis may be the result of selective reporting.