Self-Insertion of Needles by a Patient of Schizophrenia

Self-insertion of foreign bodies is a rare phenomenon, not commonly seen in clinical practice. We report a case of a young female who presented with pain and pricking sensation. On radiological investigations, self-insertion of multiple sewing needles in different parts of the body, under the effect of hallucinatory voices due to Schizophrenia, was found. Most of the needles were removed by surgical intervention but some are still there. The Schizophrenia is well settled by the initiation and compliance with antipsychotics and no subsequent act of self-insertion was reported. The patient is now being followed up in psychiatric outpatient clinic