Eighteen needles to forget...an unnamed past

J Forensic Leg Med. 2007 Jul;14(5):304-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.07.005. Epub 2006 Oct 18.

Abstract

Lasthénie de Ferjol syndrome is a very rare psychiatric illness that occurs mainly in women. It is characterized by severe recurrent iron-deficiency anemia caused be repeated episodes self-induced blood-letting. We report the case of a young homosexual male repeatedly admitted to various hospitals for severe hypochromic anemia. We discovered that the anemia was indeed due to psychotic self-provoked hemorrhages. Based on this experience and a review of the few cases reported in the literature, we discuss issues of early diagnosis, management and treatment of Lasthénie de Ferjol patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / etiology*
  • Factitious Disorders / diagnosis
  • Factitious Disorders / psychology*
  • Factitious Disorders / therapy
  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Hemorrhage / psychology*
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychotherapy
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*