Causes and incidence of self-mutilation in severely mentally handicapped patients

Without regard to early childhood self-injurious behaviour is as a rule therapeutic difficulty to influence. Therefore analysis of the joint of causes is relevant for prevention. Among 87 hospitalized oligophrenic patients there were 10 with self injury, their sensibility for pain was considerably diminished at least. Early hospitalization resp. missing or very early deficit of maternal affection and of familiar contacts on the whole are considered to be a risk for later severe self injury.