Resource Tag: AUTOEROTIC ASPHYXIATION

Background and aims Intentional asphyxiation leads to cerebral hypoxia, starving the brain of oxygen and inducing hypoxic euphoria, but carries a serious risk of accidental death, especially if practised alone. This article raises the question as to whether it could usefully be regarded as having addictive properties. Methods and results A review of the literature, […]

Suicide attempts & completions by individuals while naked remain unexplored, both by clinicians & in the professional literature. Nakedness at the time of the incident conveys important information about an individual’s mental state. Motivations for attempting or completing suicide while naked are discussed. Nakedness during a suicide attempt is presumptive evidence of high risk for […]

This article discusses the characteristics of cases of completed suicide by hanging. In particular, the author focuses on suicide by hanging in adolescent & young adult males with no history of depression, no suicide note, & no immediately apparent ‘reason’ for taking their own life. Six case studies are presented in order to illustrate the […]

Death during autoerotic asphyxial activity is usually considered accidental due to unanticipated failure of the device that was used to induce hypoxia during sexual arousal. Two cases of hanging are reported in which apparently, typical features of autoerotic asphyxial activity were present. The possibility of suicide must always be entertained, even in cases that may […]

A series of 118 autoerotic asphyxial deaths in Ontario & Alberta were compared with the same number of asphyxial suicides matched by province, year of death (within 3 years) & method of asphyxiation. Comparison of the death scenes revealed major differences between the 2 groups. The absence of verbal or written indication of suicidal intent […]

Cases of autoerotic asphyxia are often labeled as suicide, or are underreported because of embarrassment of relatives or misidentification of the initial clinical manifestations. Many emergency nurses & physicians lack adequate knowledge about this phenomenon to make an accurate diagnosis. This article presents 2 case histories of autoerotic asphyxia in adolescent males. 1 of these […]

All 19 cases of autoerotic asphyxiation that occurred between 1978-89 in Alberta were reviewed. Victims were usually single males between 15 & 29 years. Often the first sign of autoerotic activity is the death itself. Physicians who are alert to the practice may suggest counselling when patients present with sexual concerns, unusual marks around the […]

This article discusses a study done in Ontario & Alberta about autoerotic asphyxiation, which is a sexually motivated act in which individuals engage in hanging, bondage & strangulation techniques. Over a 13-year period, 117 fatal cases were found in the 2 provinces. All the victims were male & between 10 & 56 years old. Most […]

Because of a lack of knowledge on the part of many people, including professionals, about autoerotic activities & the fact that this type of fatality shares common characteristics with suicide & homicide, these cases are often misinterpreted. The authors present a case of autoerotic accidental asphyxial death which was initially misinterpreted as suicide. (25 refs.)

Eight cases of autoerotic asphyxia deaths on Oahu are reviewed. Distinguishing features typically separate these deaths from intentional suicides or homicides. The sexual nature of these incidents is a salient feature of the death. The etiology of the practice is unknown but worth investigation. 31 refs.

This study of 132 autoerotic asphyxial deaths revealed that family members & friends, in addition to experiencing shock over the sudden aspect of the death, frequently were the ones to discover the decedents body & were confused by the sexual nature of the death. Clinicians are urged to be alert for signs of such potentially […]

Some asphyxial deaths in young white males, usually by hanging, are accidents occurring during aberrant sexual activity. The physical aspects and limited psychological knowledge of these cases that distinguish them from suicidal deaths are discussed.

This article describes the features of autoerotic fatalities (deaths occurring during masterbation) to enhance one’s ability to recognize and describe such cases. Such fatalities have common characteristics with suicide, and these characteristics are examined and include location, victim position, attire (including bondage). Included are 12 case studies. (12 ref)

Case report of a 13-year-old white male. Included is a description of antecedents to the hanging, physical description of the location of the incident, medical description of the patient’s condition once hospitalized & hypothesis that the hanging was accidental. The article suggests the hanging was sexually motivated due to perceived heightened sensations during masterbation and […]

This article discusses the occurrence of sexual asphyxia, voluntary strangulation for sexual pleasure. The article includes a description of the act & characteristics of people that engage in it (asserting that most are middle to upper class young males). Research indicates that a majority of the people that engage in this behavior have serious depression […]