Citation

Aalouane R, Lahlou F, Aarab C, Barrimi M, Zaidi K, Khelafa S, Rammouz I. Encephale (1974) 2013; 41(1): 78-83.

Vernacular Title

Ingestion volontaire d'objets métalliques à répétition chez une patiente en milieu carcéral.

Affiliation

Service universitaire de psychiatrie, CHU Hassan II de Fès, Fès, Maroc; Faculté de médecine et de pharmacie de Fès, université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fès, Maroc. Electronic address: aalouanerachid@yahoo.fr.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Masson Editeur)

DOI

10.1016/j.encep.2013.06.002

PMID

24094985

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Recurrent and intentional ingestion of metallic objects is a rare but important phenomenon. It has attracted great interest among mental health professionals over the last decades. However, this issue is rarely reported in the literature. A deep exploration of its clinical and specific psychopathological aspects remains limited. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 32-year-old female patient, who was sentenced to 20years in prison for homicide against her cousin, the daughter of an uncle who had raped her when she was 14. This affair was hushed by the patient's family and the patient was submitted to several acts of abuse by her family. Following her incarceration, she repeatedly ingested metallic objects requiring repeated admissions in a department of surgery for endoscopic extractions or surgical interventions. She impulsively ingested more than 30 times various metallic objects such as wire, razor blades, spoons, etc., under the pressure of impulsiveness and massive anxiety. Voluntary metal ingestions, associated with iterative self-mutilation behaviors, took place within the framework of a borderline personality disorder, the incarceration and the conditions of imprisonment playing a role in initiating and retaining the behavior. CONCLUSION: Through this case report, we examine the specific psychiatric aspects of intentional ingestion of metallic objects in order to better understand this behavior.

Language: fr