Self-Castration by a Man With Cyclic Changes in Sexuality

The case history of a 29-year-old man who castrated himself & who reported cyclic alterations in sexuality is reviewed, together with the psychiatric psychological & endocrine findings in this case. Self-castration is discussed from differing theoretical perspectives, including Blacker & Wong’s view that genital mutilation is a form of “attenuated suicide”, a compromise that avoids total anninilation. (NBB)