SCHIZOPHRENIA

THE UNIQUE PRESENTATION OF SELF-HARM - A CASE REPORT FROM A DEVELOPING COUNTRY

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder and self harm is considered to be a rare
presentation of it. Lack of early intervention is mostly suggestive of leading to it. We hereby
present a case of a elderly male with chronic schizophrenia who came to our ER with the
complains of self assault one day prior to admission, odd behavior, somatic delusions since 8
days, self laughter and self talking since the last 25 years. Being a previously diagnosed case
of schizophrenia, he was non complaint with his previous medications, which worsened his
condition and led to the patient stabbing himself multiple times after being convinced that there
were snakes in his abdomen. The patient was treated with antipsychotics and benzodiazepines,
his family was given psycho education and after being stable for a few weeks, he was later
discharged and asked to follow up regularly in our OPD.