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Self-mutilation by a patient with borderline personality disorder
Daichi Morioka1, Fumio Ohkubo, Yasuyoshi Amikura
1Division of Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Plastic Surgery, Showa University, 1-5-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-8866, Japan, dmorioka@gmail.com.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|June 7, 2014
Summary
A plastic surgery patient with borderline personality disorder (BPD) engaged in self-harm after a revision request was denied. This case highlights the need for specialized psychiatric approaches in aesthetic practices for BPD patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD) can manifest with appearance-related preoccupations that differ from body dysmorphic disorder.
- These concerns in BPD are often less profound and may shift across different body parts.
Observation:
- A patient with BPD self-inflicted upper eyelid defects after a revision blepharoplasty request was denied.
- The self-injury was linked to anxiety stemming from perceived surgeon abandonment.
- Following treatment, the patient sought further cosmetic revisions, including tattoo removal.
Findings:
- Individuals with BPD may present unique challenges in aesthetic and plastic surgery settings.
- Appearance concerns in BPD are dynamic and less focused than in body dysmorphic disorder.
Implications:
- A distinct psychiatric approach is necessary for managing BPD patients in aesthetic and plastic surgery.
- Establishing clear protocols for psychiatric referrals is crucial for patient safety and care.
- Understanding the psychological underpinnings of appearance concerns in BPD is vital for surgical teams.