Self-applied Constricting Bands
K. DAWSON-BUTTERWORTH M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.P.M.1,
G. D. P. WALLEN M.B., Ch.B., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., D.R.C.O.G., D.P.M.2, and
N. L. GITTLESON M.A., D.M., D.P.M.3
1 Registrar, United Sheffield Hospitals Department of Psychiatry; Whiteley Wood Clinic, Woofindin Road, Sheffield, 10
2 Senior Registrar, Middlewood Hospital, Middlewood Road, Sheffield, 6
3 Consultant Psychiatrist, Middlewood Hospital, Middlewood Road, Sheffield, 6
Twenty psychiatric patients with self-applied constricting bands were studied. They comprised thirteen schizophrenics and seven organic cases. The preferred site of application was the left arm, the underlying motive probably delusional, and marked reticence in talking about the behaviour was noted. A striking finding was the total absence of complaints of pain despite, at times, substantial tissue damage. The possible significance of these findings is discussed.
Submitted on July 30, 1968
