Van Gogh syndrome

Van Gogh syndrome is a mental condition in which an adult performs self-mutilations. It usually happens on the ground of a specific psychiatric condition.[1][2] The term is derived from the action of Vincent van Gogh in 1888, cutting off his own ear, or a part of it, after a quarrel with fellow artist Paul Gauguin[3][4] during one of his psychotic episodes.[5] Sufferers may burn themselves, attempt to severely damage their genital organs (especially amputate their penis), castrate themselves, extract their own eyes, amputate their own hands, or commit suicide.[5]

Self-injury in children may be labeled with different diagnostic terms such as Lesch-Nyhan and Munchausen syndromes.[6]

Another medical condition for which the term is used, but only rarely, is when the vision turns yellow for a period of time as, for example, in digoxin toxicity.[7]