ABSTRACT
Self-enucleation or "Oedipism" is a rare ophthalmic and psychiatric emergency. Given the severity of its consequences, it requires proper medical management and that clinicians understand and be aware of the psychiatric presentation. Important clinical considerations include identification of various etiologies leading to self-enucleation, awareness of possible complications, and provision of appropriate care. We present a case of bilateral self-enucleation by a young male patient in the context of his first episode of psychosis and review the literature on this clinical entity. Ocular damage interferes significantly with activities of daily living and is associated with decreased quality of life so that identifying risk factors is of major importance to prevent this dangerous behavior.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living , Self Mutilation , Blindness/etiology , Eye Enucleation , Humans , Male , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Fahr disease, also known as familial idiopathic basal ganglia calcification, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder, the etiology of which remains unknown. Given its various presentations, Fahr disease is presumed to be underdiagnosed and its prevalence underestimated. We present a case of Fahr disease that presented mainly with pure psychiatric symptoms. Isolated psychiatric symptoms without neurological manifestations are rarely seen in patients diagnosed with Fahr disease. Psychiatrists should consider Fahr disease as a differential diagnosis in the evaluation of psychiatric illness.