[Secret self mutilation, a psychosomatic disease].

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Psychoanalysis

Background:

• Secret self-mutilation, termed "mimicry patients," is a poorly understood phenomenon.
• Existing definitions focus on injury morphology rather than psychological criteria.

Observation:

• Patients exhibit self-inflicted behaviors beyond conscious control, often with reduced awareness.
• Subconscious conflicts, particularly severe guilt, are frequently identified as underlying causes.
• Therapy involves supportive, ego-consolidating methods and establishing a therapeutic alliance before addressing core conflicts.

Findings:

• A new clinical definition based on psychological criteria for self-mutilation is proposed.
• Psychoanalytic therapy for mimicry patients yields slow but positive results, similar to other severe psychosomatic disorders.
• Therapeutic success is achievable despite the complexity of subconscious conflicts.

Implications:

• The findings necessitate a shift towards psychological criteria in defining and understanding self-mutilation.
• Long-term psychoanalytic treatment is crucial for addressing deep-seated guilt and achieving remission.
• Further research is needed to expand international experience and refine therapeutic approaches.