Around 4 a.m., emergency responders received a call to the emergency line from a person who said, “I cut off my own penis and I’m bleeding out.” The ambulance arrived within 25 minutes. They were greeted by the caller’s sister, who seemed somewhat surprised. According to her, everyone was fine and asleep, and she hadn’t noticed anything unusual happening in the house.
During the conversation with the victim’s sister, medical personnel noticed a blood trail in the hallway leading from the bedroom to the kitchen. There, they found the naked body of a man lying on his back in a large pool of blood. Following the blood stains, they traced them back to the bedroom, where there was another pool of blood and many splatters, and on the floor lay the severed penis and testicles.
Despite all efforts to resuscitate him, the man could not be revived. He died before the paramedics arrived due to severe blood loss. His identity was never publicly disclosed, but it is known that he was Caucasian, 50 years old, and weighed 165 pounds (75 kg).
Subsequent investigation revealed that the victim suffered from paranoid schizophrenia. People with this disorder often experience delusions and hallucinations, which can lead them to believe that certain parts of their body are somehow “bad.” For example, they might believe the penis is a source of sin. Interestingly, during such self-mutilation, the person often does not feel pain – a phenomenon known as psychogenic analgesia.
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
If you're thinking about self-harm, please stop and recognize that this won't solve the pain you're feeling. While it might seem like a way to cope, it leaves lasting scars, not just on your body but on your heart as well. There are healthier, safer ways to manage your emotions.
Every wound you inflict is a cry for help. You are not alone. Reaching out to someone you trust can be the first step toward finding a way out of this dark place. You deserve kindness, support, and real healing.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
