“Everything in this room is edible. Even I'm edible. But, that would be called canibalism. It is looked down upon in most societies.”
― Tim Burton
Understanding Auto-Cannibalism
In the complex realm of mental health disorders, some conditions challenge our understanding of human behaviour. One such phenomenon is auto-cannibalism, a psychiatric condition characterised by the compulsion to harm oneself by consuming parts of one's own body. This behaviour extends beyond self-harm and reflects a deep-seated psychological distress that manifests in an alarming and highly unusual manner. While extremely rare, this disorder raises questions about the complexities of the human mind and the factors that contribute to such extreme behaviours.
Psychological Underpinnings
Auto-cannibalism, while rare, could be caused by a range of factors: one of the most prominent ones being severe mental disorders like schizophrenia. Schizophrenia brings with it a serious loss of touch with reality and a grave effect on an individual’s mental processes. Having the urge to cannibalise oneself could be inspired by this lack of connection to self and reality. Other causes of auto-cannibalistic tendencies could be personality disorders or psychosis. Additionally, less intense forms of auto-cannibalism (nail biting, picking at scabs, etc) could also be caused by anxiety, depression or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Case Studies
Cases of auto-cannibalism are scarce, but they provide insight into the psychological complexities surrounding this disorder.
One notable case involved a patient with schizophrenia who engaged in self-mutilation, including auto-cannibalistic acts, as a response to auditory hallucinations compelling harmful behaviour.
Another documented case includes a 34-year-old male patient who was brought to the emergency department from prison with a laceration on the right leg. Physical examination revealed a well-demarcated rectangular soft tissue defect on his right thigh. The prison authorities stated that the prisoner had cut his thigh with a knife and had eaten the flesh.
Treatment Challenges
The treatment of auto-cannibalism poses significant challenges for mental health professionals. While CBT( Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and medication are the most effective treatments for conditions like autocannibalism, some people choose to incorporate alternative therapies. Research has suggested that mindfulness can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety by bringing the thought process back to the present. For people with autocannibalism, practising mindful techniques may help to reduce compulsions. Other alternative approaches, such as massage therapy and acupuncture, can provide physical relief for some of the symptoms of autocannibalism. These types of therapies have also been thought to provide more therapeutic benefits, but more research is still needed. Establishing trust between the patient and healthcare providers is crucial to developing effective treatment plans.
Ethical Considerations
At its core, auto-cannibalism is harmful but not necessarily deadly. It is intentional and self-inflicted, but still uncommon. Why, though?
The rarity of auto-cannibalism is inspired by the fact that humans generally have a perception of ethics. This is the primary reason why cannibalism is frowned upon by human beings. Human beings are rational thinkers and have personalities and intense desires to live. They can develop emotions and feelings towards one another, which is a primary reason why it is frowned upon. “If I have formed a bond with this person, why would I want to consume their flesh and body?” The same extends to auto-cannibalism; “Why would you eat a part of yourself? That’s not a good thing to do.”
Public Awareness and Stigma
Given the extreme nature of auto-cannibalism, public awareness is essential to remove misconceptions and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health disorders. Although complete acceptance takes time, Increased understanding can foster empathy and support for individuals struggling with such psychological challenges and in many cases help them in recovery.
Conclusion
Auto-cannibalism, at the end of the day, is something that is a representation of the effects severe psychological distress can have on an individual. This just further displays the complexities of the human mind and urges us to delve deeper into the intricacies of mental health. As research develops, we can hope to gain a better understanding of auto-cannibalism, offering scope for improved treatments and care.
PS:
Here are some depictions of auto-cannibalism in mythology and folklore
Erysichthon was a Thessalian king who chopped down a tree in the sacred grove of the goddess Ceres to build himself a feast hall and was punished for this act. While there are several versions of this story, one of the most prominent ones is by Ovid, from his Metamorphoses: Book 8.
Erysichthon ordered a worker to cut down an oak tree that was sacred to Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. When the worker refused, Erysichthon cut down the tree himself. As he was chopping it down, the dryad nymph of the tree cursed him. Hearing the nymph’s curse, Ceres punished him for his greed by causing Hunger to plague him. No matter how much food Erysichthon consumed, he would forever remain hungry. Eventually, out of sheer desperation, he ate himself until there was nothing left.
In German folklore, revenants known as nachzehrer would eat their shrouds and even chew upon their bodily extremities, accompanied by much grunting and groaning, and in so doing, caused outbreaks of plague. The notion that a buried corpse might grunt and groan like a swine, eat its shroud and chomp on its fingers and limbs out of hunger, aroused widespread hysteria in the seventeenth century. In 1679, Philip Rohr published a study of what he called "grave eating", The book brought together a wealth of accounts of corpses thought to have "consumed their shrouds and winding cloths, and even their limbs and bowels". The 18th century also produced a considerable amount of literature on the subject.