Complicated alcohol withdrawal presenting as self mutilation

Bichitra Nanda Patra; Akhilesh Sharma; Aseem Mehra; Shubhmohan Singh

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2013.11.002

Complicated alcohol withdrawal presenting as self mutilation

J Forensic Leg Med. 2014 Jan:21:46-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.11.002. Epub 2013 Nov 8.

Authors

Bichitra Nanda Patra¹, Akhilesh Sharma², Aseem Mehra², Shubhmohan Singh²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India. Electronic address: patrab.aiims@gmail.com.
² Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India.

PMID: 24365688
DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2013.11.002

Abstract

Self-mutilation has been defined as deliberate self injury to body tissue without the intent to die. There has been an association between substance abuse and self mutilation. Alcoholic hallucinosis is usually in auditory modality and regarded as harmless. But patients can indulge in self harm behavior when the hallucinosis is commanding type. We are presenting a case in which the patient inflicted multiple stab injury to his own abdomen in response to alcoholic hallucinosis. This has clinical implication to enquire about substance abuse in patients presenting to emergency setting.

Keywords: Alcoholic hallucinosis; Complicated alcohol withdrawal; Self mutilation; Substance abuse.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Abdominal Injuries / psychology*
Abdominal Injuries / surgery
Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / psychology*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
Wounds, Stab / psychology*
Wounds, Stab / surgery