The literature describing acts of non-suicidal self-mutilation (NSSM) in the adult population is limited. Of the cases that document NSSM, a disproportionate number of these individuals have a history of psychiatric illnesses. Although the motivation to perform NSSM varies across patients, the literature suggests that past self-injurious behaviors, extreme religious delusions, and command hallucinations are the most significant risk factors. The primary forms of NSSM include ocular, genital, and limb mutilation. Limb mutilation is the least common of the three and typically occurs proximal to the wrist or hand. Here, we present a rare case involving a 42-year-old man with schizophrenia who was hospitalized due to osteomyelitis of his autoamputated digits. This case is unique in involving multiple digits of the hand and using a rare amputation method. We aim to compare this case with the existing body of work on NSSM and identify factors that may predispose patients to act on these extreme impulses. We also highlight a novel interventional program that reduces psychiatric and medical comorbidities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.