Skoptic syndrome refers to a condition in which a person is preoccupied with or engages in genital self-mutilation (e.g. castration, penectomy). The definition of skoptic syndrome excludes cases of gender identity disorder.

Skoptic syndrome can sometimes be motivated by intense sexual guilt, in which the genitals become identified as the source of the guilt-inducing sexual desire. Removal of or damage to the genitals then relieves this guilt.

In DSM-IV, it falls under the heading of Gender Identity Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.

References

Dr. John Money, "The Skoptic Syndrome: castration and genital self-mutilation as an example of sexual body-image pathology.", Journal of Psychology and Human Sexuality, Volume 1 1988