Klingsor Syndrome (Self-Emasculation): About a Case and Literature Review

Abstract

Self-mutilation is a behavior in which an individual deliberately inflicts more or less severe injuries on their own body. This behavior is often, but not exclusively, a way for individuals to manage intense emotions, relieve emotional or psychological pain, or punish themselves. Self-mutilation can be observed in various psychiatric contexts, including personality disorders, mood disorders, and psychotic disorders. This psychiatric manifestation, which transcends diagnostic categories, can involve various types of self-harm to different parts of the body, including the genitals, known as Klingsor Syndrome. Inspired by a fictional character from Wagner’s opera, Klingsor Syndrome is a term used to describe extreme cases of self-destructive behavior where an individual, often in a psychotic state, inflicts severe injuries on their genital organs. This syndrome is often associated with psychosensory or intrapsychic hallucinations and delusional ideas occurring within the context of acute or chronic psychotic disorders. Treatment is multidisciplinary, involving surgical repair and rigorous psychiatric follow-up. In this paper, we report the case of genital self-mutilation occurring in a psychotic patient.