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[Desire for amputation in body integrity identity disorder]
Rianne M Blom1, Raoul C M Hennekam
1Academisch Medisch Centrum-Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|April 10, 2014
Summary
Body integrity identity disorder (BIID) is a rare condition causing a desire for limb amputation. Case studies suggest elective amputation may be a treatment for BIID, despite ethical concerns.
Area of Science:
- Neuropsychiatry
- Medical ethics
Background:
- Body integrity identity disorder (BIID) is a rare condition characterized by a discrepancy between a person's real and experienced body.
- This mismatch, present since childhood, leads to an intense desire for limb amputation or paralysis.
Observation:
- Two male patients with BIID were studied.
- One patient requested amputation for his persistent desire, while another self-amputated, resolving his BIID.
Findings:
- No established treatments currently exist for BIID.
- Self-amputation, though dangerous, has been used by patients to alleviate BIID symptoms.
Implications:
- Elective amputation is proposed as a potential treatment for BIID.
- The ethical admissibility of amputating healthy limbs for BIID requires further consideration.
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