Violent behavior of a man with bestiality and borderline personality disorder: A case report

Background. -The current psychiatric literature provided some data to support the link bet-ween bestiality and violent behavior; however, early identification of risk factors of violence in bestiality cases is lacking. Aim. - In this paper, we report an unusual case of a 30-year-old male patient with bestiality and borderline personality disorder, who committed a violent act; and we discuss the link between bestiality, borderline personality disorder and violence. Reported case. -Mr. R. was unemployed, single, and had a past history of chronic alcohol consumption. At the age of 21, he had indulged in vaginal intercourses with multiple female animals, often by forcing the animal (binding or beating). Nine years later, a few minutes after having a violent anal intercourse with a mare, the patient stabbed his uncle's wife twice in the left flank, and was admitted in our psychiatry department. Biological tests were all within nor-mal range. An electroencephalogram and a computerized tomography scan of the head revealed nothing suggestive. Personality tests found a borderline personality organization. He was diag-nosed with borderline personality disorder. He was put on antipsychotic therapy along with supportive psychotherapy. This patient has been followed up for the last six months and has not developed any bestiality behavior. Discussion. - Society may need to consider bestiality behavior as warning sign of potential violence. The practical value of its early identification among psychiatric patients must be emphasized, given the preventive possibilities that can be proposed. Thus, questions exploring this sexual behavior should be routinely included in the psychiatric interview as an essential step in assessing risk of imminent violence. (C) 2020 Sexologies. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.