[Cognitive and Affective Processes in Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID): A Pilot Study]

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) involves a persistent desire for amputation (BID-A) or paralysis (BID-P).
• Existing research on BID primarily relies on self-reported data.
• Understanding underlying cognitive and affective mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cognitive and affective processes in Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) that are not captured by self-reports.
• To compare these processes in individuals with BID-A, BID-P, healthy controls, and patients with body dysmorphic disorder.

Main Methods:

• Utilized eye-tracking to assess selective attention bias.
• Employed the DRM paradigm to evaluate the tendency towards false memory.
• Used rubber-hand/foot illusions to examine affective involvement and fear responses.

Main Results:

• Individuals with BID-A demonstrated faster and longer fixation on amputation stumps compared to all other groups.
• BID-A sufferers exhibited a reduced fear response when a rubber-hand/foot illusion was disrupted.
• No increased tendency towards false memory was observed in either BID group.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest that cognitive and affective processes in BID can be assessed through objective measures beyond self-reports.
• Results indicate significant differences in selective attention and affective involvement in BID-A individuals.
• Further research is needed to develop etiological models, identify subtypes, and create targeted treatments for BID.