Elective Amputation

In class we actually heard about something interesting. This disorder does not yet have an official name but here are the symptoms:

- obsessive desire for amputation of one or more healthy limbs
- may injure self in order to have a legitimate way to amputate limb
- individual has no signs of mental illness
- Three subtypes:
1. Devotees: people who are sexually aroused by amputees
2. Pretenders: People who use wheelchairs or crutches to pretend as if they have an amputation
3. Wannabies: Those who want to actually get an amputation themselves.

This is not related to anorexia, body dysmorphic disorder, or desire for gender reasignment surgery. After the amputation is complete, these individuals are happy about their decision and feel 'complete.' They don't think anything is wrong with their limbs; they just think they weren't supposed to have a limb in the first place.

Most surgeons won't perform elective amputation so some individuals cut their own limbs off or get surgery in other countries like Mexico. A study of 52 people showed that none regretted their decision after they had the amputation.

A large proportion of these people knew they wanted an amputation before the age of 12 and some of them knew right after seeing an amputee for the first time. Some people pretended to be am amputee which eventually got in the way of maintaining a job or having relationships.

I could go on because this is a bizarre and fascinating 'disorder' but I'll just leave you with some links in case youw ant to read more about it:

New York Times article
Body Integrity Identity Disorder
Ethics of elective amputation
Infowars.com