A Homeless Person With Bipolar Disorder and a History of Serious Self-Mutilation

This case report is presented to highlight the importance of recognizing the warning signs & understanding the risk factors for clinically significant self-mutilation. By recognizing the warning signs & understanding the risk factors, clinicians will be better equipped to treat patients who have a recurrent history of serious self-mutilation. The case involves a 45-year-old male whose history included 3 suicide attempts & 2 episodes of serious self-mutilation which occurred many years apart & under very different circumstances. (17 refs.)