Stereotypic Self-Mutilation:

Stereotypic self-mutilation involves repetitive, sometimes rhythmic, acts, the most common form being head-banging. Other forms include orifice digging, hitting, throat and eye gouging ( though usually not eye enucleation which is considered major self-mutilation), hair pulling and self-biting. Stereotypic self-mutilation can sometimes result in tooth extraction or joint dislocation.

Motivation/Causes:

Stereotypic self-mutilation is most frequently associated with Mental Retardation, particularly when the mentally retarded person is institutionalized.

In a 1985 study of 10,000 mentally retarded persons, by Griffen et al., 13.6% of the patients were found to engage in stereotypic self-mutilative acts. Other psychological disorders associated with stereotypic self-mutilation include Schizophrenia, Autism and Tourette's Syndrome.

In most cases, stereotypic self-mutilators are unaware of their actions. If they are conscious of their behavior, unlike other forms of self-mutilation, they seem to find no significance in their actions.