SELF-MUTILATION IN ADOLESCENCE AS ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR

Self-mutilation as addictive behaviour has been mentioned in a few stu dies in recent years. We present the case of a girl with narcissistic borderlline personality disorder (DSM III-R: 301.83, 301.81), who unde rtook multiple, repetitive self-mutilating acts. Self-mutilation is di scussed as addictive behaviour in this case. We emphasize the evaluati on of repetitive self-mutilating acts by applying criteria for addicti ve and dependence disorders, in order to achieve additional adequate s trategies for treating patients showing this behaviour.