Malignant complications of masturbation - a case study

We present a case of a 32-years-old female patient diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia for many years who has developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) as a result of long-acting antipsychotic's injection. Since the initial ineffectiveness of benzodiazepines, the course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been carried out. In spite of the initial promising response to ECT 3 weeks after the admission her somatic and mental state deteriorated greatly, that was hardly explicable solely by the potential loss of effectiveness of ECT or laboratory tests. Diagnostics extended with imaging tests and gynecological examination revealed the connective tissue-covered cap of a popular multivitamin supplement in patient's vagina. During the following deepened interview, she admitted that in fact 6 months ago a piece had gotten stuck while masturbating. However due to the sense of shame and subjective lack of disturbing symptoms she had left it unsaid. One month after the evacuation of the foreign body she has been discharged from the hospital remaining the full remission. The presented case shows that inflammation in the body can complicate catatonia and NMS, causing a non-specific course and difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. In some patients, the inflammatory process may be caused by a foreign body located in various natural orifices in the body. It appears significant in the group of psychiatric patients. Once again it highlights the tremendous role of meticulously conducted interview including the patient's autoerotic life.