BY ASHLEY CONNOR
Trying to imagine what life would be like without a limb is tough for most. Losing the ability to do certain things and maneuver regularly would mean having to relearn everything. However, for people who suffer from Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), losing a limb is less of a hassle and more of a goal.
BIID is a psychological condition that causes its victims to have a strange desire to have certain body parts amputated. Much like eating disorders that distort ones image of their own body, those who have BIID have body parts that they do not see themselves having. Their physical appearance does not match up with what they see in their mind.
At the Falkrik and District Royal Infirmary in Scotland, surgeon Robert Smith was asked to amputate the left leg of a seemingly healthy man. The reason for the request was simply that “it wasn’t part of him.” Smith went on to consult others doctors before performing the surgery. After the patient informed Smith that his life had been improved as a result of the amputation, Smith did not hesitate to perform the procedure on other patients.
The code of ethics for a doctor states that they are not to cause harm to their patients. Amputating a healthy limb goes against that code. Therefore, Smith was advised not to perform any further surgeries. This, however, poses a problem for those who suffer from BIID. If they cannot have a doctor remove their limb, many go as far as to remove it themselves. By causing frostbite to their unwanted limbs, burns, crushing it or simply mutilating it to the point of amputation, these dangerous last resorts can sometimes result in death.
According to the Body Integrity Identity Disorder Database, infants who see an amputee have the image imprinted on them and their obsession emerges. In other cases, people who do not feel loved reason that by amputation one of their limbs, they will receive the affection they desire.
While it is unknown how many people have BIID, as many are too ashamed to admit their illness, it seems – for an unknown reason – to affect more men then women. Similar to Gender Identity Disorder, those who have it feel their body just does not match the image they have in their mind.
There is no known cure for BIID, though those who have succeeded in amputating their unwanted body parts argue otherwise. Therapy and medication are the only resources that doctors have.
Sabine Muller concluded in her article ‘Amputee Envy,’ that all people have a body map that outlines their senses and parts of their body. For some people who have BIID, the unwanted parts of their body have been permanently deleted. In such cases, the only way to find relief would be to perform the surgery.
Arguments have been made on both sides over whether or not patients should be given the right to have their limbs removed. Not only would it give satisfaction to the patient, but it would prevent damage the patient might do to themselves if they resort to desperate measures. On the opposite end, though, after the limb is taken away it can never be replaced.
If you or some one you know is suffering from any of these symptons, the Wellness Center offers free and convidential counseling.
