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Health Dictionary

Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Apotemnophilia

Introduction


Apotemnophilia is the erotic interest in being or looking like an amputee.[1][2] It should not be confused with acrotomophilia, which is the erotic interest in people who are amputees.[3] When experienced very strongly, some people with apotemnophilia come to feel discontented with their bodies and want to actually remove an otherwise healthy limb, a condition called Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Some apotemnophiles seek surgeons to perform an amputation or purposefully injure a limb in order to force emergency medical amputation.[4][5]

Research Studies

Research Studies

Among a convenience sample of 52 apotemnophiles recruited from internet groups, the great majority wanted a single leg removed, cut above the knee.[6] There are parallels between apotemnophilia as a motivation for Body Integrity Identity Disorder and autogynephilia as a motivation for some cases of male-to-female Gender Identity Disorder.[7]

References

References

  1. ↑ Money, J., Jobaris, R., & Furth, G. (1977). Apotemnophilia: Two cases of self demand amputation as a sexual preference. The Journal of Sex Research, 13, 115–124.
  2. ↑ Everaerd, W. (1983). A case of apotemnophilia: A handicap as sexual preference. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 37, 285–293.
  3. ↑ Dixon, D. (1983). An erotic attraction to amputees. Sexuality and Disability, 6, 3–19.
  4. ↑ Bensler, J. M., & Paauw, D. S. (2003). Apotemnophilia masquerading as medical morbidity. Southern Medical Journal, 96, 674–676.
  5. ↑ Berger, B. D., Lehrmann, J. A., Larson, G., Alverno, L., & Tsao, C. I. (2005). Nonpsychotic, nonparaphilic self-amputation and the internet. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 46, 380–383.
  6. ↑ First, M. B. (2005). Desire for amputation of a limb: Paraphilia, psychosis, or a new type of identity disorder. Psychological Medicine, 35, 919–928.
  7. ↑ Lawrence, A. A. (2006). Clinical and theoretical parallels between desire for limb amputation and gender identity disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 263–278.