Bilateral oedipism: a case of extreme self-harm in an African  society averse to self-mutilation

Nnadozie, Ugochukwu Uzodimma; Obayi, Okwudili; Ezeanosike, Edak; Eze, Christian N.; Maduba, Charles Chidiebele; Nnadozie, Fortune Udoka; Joe-Akunne, Kene; Anikwe, Christian Chidebe

doi:10.4314/ahs.v20i4.37

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Our review of the literature included 54 articles and 75 patients who self-enucleated at least one eye. 1,3–55 The features of these patients are described in Table 1. The patients had an average age of 37 years (±14 SD) and were 50.7% male.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal Oedipism: A Case Report and Literature Review

Gupta,

Houchens,

Khair

et al. 2023

Ophthalmic Plastic &Amp; Reconstructive Surgery

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Purpose: To describe a unique case of a fatal self-enucleation and review previously published cases. Methods: The authors describe a unique case of a complete unilateral self-enucleation while under the influence of drugs, which resulted in severe intracranial hemorrhages, right internal carotid artery opacification, and death. A literature review was performed by searching articles published before January 2023 in the Pubmed/MEDLINE database using the keywords “auto-enucleation or self-enucleation.” Cases of self-inflicted damage to the globe without severing any connections were excluded. Results: A literature review identified a total of 54 articles and 75 patients who had self-enucleated at least one globe completely (84.0%). Their average age was 37 years and 50.7% were male. At the time of auto-enucleation, 64.0% of these patients had known psychiatric disorders, and 28.0% were found to be under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol. Auto-enucleation resulted in intracranial complications in 26.7% of cases. There has been 1 prior case, which, like the authors’ case, resulted in death due to intracranial complications. However, this occurred in a patient who partially enucleated one eye after a self-inflicted injury to the fellow eye. The current case is unique as these complications resulted from a complete unilateral auto-enucleation. Conclusions: The severity of this case’s presentation and outcome highlights the importance of prompt neuroimaging and a thorough assessment. Prompt psychiatric assessment and treatment are also required.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fatal Oedipism: A Case Report and Literature Review

Gupta,

Houchens,

Khair

et al. 2023

Ophthalmic Plastic &Amp; Reconstructive Surgery

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“…Thus, published works on the subject continue to be case reports on one or two cases with uniocular involvement predominating. [ 1 2 4 5 13 16 17 ] An extensive literature search, via MEDLINE, reported that there were 37 published papers on the subject. [ 1 ] These papers documented 56 patients (71 globes) worldwide who had auto-enucleation in at least one eye.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…So far the only report of self-enucleation from Nigeria was that by Nnadozie et al . [ 17 ] who documented bilateral oedipism in a 24-year-old farmer. Their patient was a known cannabis user who also had drug-induced psychosis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bilateral self-enucleation of the eyes: Case report and literature review

Nwosu

Akudinobi

et al. 2023

J West Afr Coll Surg

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Self-removal of the eyeball is an extreme form of self-harm, which is rare especially in a society ill-disposed to self-maiming. We report the case of a 75-year old man who plucked out his own two eyes in obedience to a voice urging him to do so. According to his wife, the patient had been exhibiting symptoms suggestive of a psychiatric disorder just before the incident. But this was overlooked. This case report draws attention to the devastating ophthalmic consequences of neglected psychiatric disorders in the elderly. We recommend greater attention to the mental health of the elderly. Prevention and management of auto-enucleation requires a collaboration between psychiatrists and ophthalmologists.

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“…In fact, most cases described in the literature of oedipism were due to severe mental disorders, especially psychosis [ 4 ]. Though oedipism was initially thought to be related to preoccupations with sins and higher deities, several recently published case reports highlight that this is a universal phenomenon that can be observed in people with different religious and cultural backgrounds [ 4 , 15 ]. our patient was under the influence of alcohol when he attempted to self-amputate his left arm; it was difficult to ascertain whether he was also experiencing delusions or hallucinations that guided this episode of self-mutilation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oedipism and Self-Amputation in a Schizoaffective, Depressed Type Patient: To Heal or Feel Pain?

Sangha

Shah

Gajaram

et al. 2021

Cureus

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Major self-mutilation, defined as self-inflicted physical harm without suicidal intent, can be a catastrophic complication of schizoaffective disorder. Oedipism and self-amputation are two sequelae seen in schizoaffective patients. Oedipism is a type of self-mutilation where an individual inflicts an ocular injury to oneself, often leading to blindness. Self-amputation, another complication seen in those with schizoaffective disorder, is defined as the act of deliberately removing healthy limbs. This case report discusses a 39-year-old Ukrainian-American male with a history of schizoaffective disorder who displayed both oedipism and self-amputation behavior of varying extremities. The patient's plan of care was established once an extensive history was obtained and medical records were consolidated. This report contributes to the literature on rare cases of oedipism and self-amputation in patients diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, depressed type.

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Bilateral oedipism: a case of extreme self-harm in an African society averse to self-mutilation

Abstract: Nil

Cited by 4 publications

References 5 publications

Fatal Oedipism: A Case Report and Literature Review

Fatal Oedipism: A Case Report and Literature Review

Bilateral self-enucleation of the eyes: Case report and literature review

Oedipism and Self-Amputation in a Schizoaffective, Depressed Type Patient: To Heal or Feel Pain?

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