Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences

Lea Pregartbauer; Thomas Schnell; Erich Kasten

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences

Lea Pregartbauer, Thomas Schnell, Erich Kasten

Published in American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 3, Issue 5)

Received: 5 October 2014 Accepted: 20 October 2014 Published: 30 October 2014

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Abstract

Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is characterized by the intense desire for some form of body impairment. Most often sufferers report wanting a healthy limb to be amputated. Currently most professionals classify this strange wish as an identity disturbance, but several BIID affected persons also speak of a sexual component when describing their desire for an amputation. In contrast to BIID, “mancophilia” (also referred to as deformation fetishism, acrotomophilia, or amelotatism) is a form of paraphilia. Those with this condition are sexually aroused by people with a physical impairment as such as an amputation. In this pilot-study we investigated the differences between BIID and mancophilia with a self-report questionnaire, which asked 36 participants (18 with BIID, 18 with mancophilia) about their sexual preferences. The results showed a considerable overlap between the sexual preferences of people with BIID and those of people with mancophilia. BIID-participants self-reported an erotic preference for people with disabilities and, overall, a cluster-analysis resulted in three observable groups: Cluster-I, BIID with a strong sexual component (61.1%); Cluster-II, BIID with a moderate sexual component (16.7%); and Cluster-III, BIID with low or no sexual component (22.2%). However, the erotic fascination for one’s own amputation was only found in BIID afflicted persons and did not occur in people with mancophilia. Only the wish for an own handicap allows a strict differentiation between those two syndromes. In summary, these preliminary findings suggest that an erotic component seems to be a frequent part of the identity disorder BIID.

Published in	American Journal of Applied Psychology (Volume 3, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
Page(s)	116-121
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mancophilia, Body Integrity Identity Disorder, Amelotatism, Apotemnophilia, Xenomelia, BIID, Paraphilia, Identity Disorder, Deformation Fetishism

References

[1]	De Preester, H. (2011). Merleau-Ponty’s sexual schema and the sexual component of body integrity identity disorder. Med Health care and Philos, DOI 0.1007/s11019-011-9367-3.
[2]	First, M.B. (2005). Desire for amputation of a limp: Paraphilia, psychosis or a new type of identity disorder. Psychological Medicine, 35, 919-928.
[3]	Kasten, E. (2009). Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID): Befragung von Betroffenen und Erklärungsansätze. Fortschr Neurol Psychiatrie, 77, 16-24.
[4]	Kasten, E. (2012). ICD Antrag: Einführung eines Kodes für die Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) (Körperidentitätsstörung) www.dimdi.de/dynamic/dynamic/de/klassi/downloadcenter/icd-10-gm/vorschlaege/vorschlaege2012/019-bodyintegrityidentitydisorder-kasten.pdf. Abrufdatum: 2.8.13, 14:05
[5]	Krafft-Ebing, R. (1993). Psychopathia Sexualis. Matthes & Seitz, München.
[6]	Lawrence, A. A. (2006). Clinical and Theoretical Parallels Between Desire for Limp Amputation and Gender Identity Disorder. Archieves of Sexual Behaviour, 3, 263-278.
[7]	Martin, I. (2009). Fascination Handicap- A Desire for Differentness. In A. Stirn, A. Thiel, S. Oddo (Hrsg.), Body Integrity Identity Disorder: Psychological, Neurobiological, Ethical and Legal Aspects (S. 175-180). Lengerich: Papst Science Publisher.
[8]	Martin, I. (2010). Mancophilie Erscheinungsformen und Interaktionen. Maintal: Homo-Mancus Verlag.
[9]	Money, J., Jobaris, R. & Furth, G. (1977). Apotemnophilia: Two Cases of Self-Demand Amputation as a Paraphilia. The Journal of Sex Research, Vol. 13, No.2, pp. 115.125.
[10]	Money, J. & Simcoe, K. (1986). Acrotomophilia, Sex and Disability: New Concepts and Case Report. Sexuality and Disability, Volume 7 (1/2), page 43-50, Human Sciences Press.
[11]	Nattress, L. (1996). Amelotasis Men Attracted To Women Who Are Amputees. A Descriptive Study. Loma Linda University, California.
[12]	Stirn, A., Thiel, A. & Oddo, S. (2010). Body Integrity Identity Disorder. Störungsbild, Diagnostik, Therapieansätze. Weihnheim: Beltz Verlag.
[13]	Wenig, H.G. (1979). Amputismus. Sexualmedizin, 8, Seite 280-282.

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APA Style

Lea Pregartbauer, Thomas Schnell, Erich Kasten. (2014). Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 3(5), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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ACS Style

Lea Pregartbauer; Thomas Schnell; Erich Kasten. Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2014, 3(5), 116-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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AMA Style

Lea Pregartbauer, Thomas Schnell, Erich Kasten. Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. Am J Appl Psychol. 2014;3(5):116-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12,
  author = {Lea Pregartbauer and Thomas Schnell and Erich Kasten},
  title = {Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {116-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20140305.12},
  abstract = {Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is characterized by the intense desire for some form of body impairment. Most often sufferers report wanting a healthy limb to be amputated. Currently most professionals classify this strange wish as an identity disturbance, but several BIID affected persons also speak of a sexual component when describing their desire for an amputation. In contrast to BIID, “mancophilia” (also referred to as deformation fetishism, acrotomophilia, or amelotatism) is a form of paraphilia. Those with this condition are sexually aroused by people with a physical impairment as such as an amputation. In this pilot-study we investigated the differences between BIID and mancophilia with a self-report questionnaire, which asked 36 participants (18 with BIID, 18 with mancophilia) about their sexual preferences. The results showed a considerable overlap between the sexual preferences of people with BIID and those of people with mancophilia. BIID-participants self-reported an erotic preference for people with disabilities and, overall, a cluster-analysis resulted in three observable groups: Cluster-I, BIID with a strong sexual component (61.1%); Cluster-II, BIID with a moderate sexual component (16.7%); and Cluster-III, BIID with low or no sexual component (22.2%). However, the erotic fascination for one’s own amputation was only found in BIID afflicted persons and did not occur in people with mancophilia. Only the wish for an own handicap allows a strict differentiation between those two syndromes. In summary, these preliminary findings suggest that an erotic component seems to be a frequent part of the identity disorder BIID.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences
AU  - Lea Pregartbauer
AU  - Thomas Schnell
AU  - Erich Kasten
Y1  - 2014/10/30
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
SP  - 116
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5672
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
AB  - Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is characterized by the intense desire for some form of body impairment. Most often sufferers report wanting a healthy limb to be amputated. Currently most professionals classify this strange wish as an identity disturbance, but several BIID affected persons also speak of a sexual component when describing their desire for an amputation. In contrast to BIID, “mancophilia” (also referred to as deformation fetishism, acrotomophilia, or amelotatism) is a form of paraphilia. Those with this condition are sexually aroused by people with a physical impairment as such as an amputation. In this pilot-study we investigated the differences between BIID and mancophilia with a self-report questionnaire, which asked 36 participants (18 with BIID, 18 with mancophilia) about their sexual preferences. The results showed a considerable overlap between the sexual preferences of people with BIID and those of people with mancophilia. BIID-participants self-reported an erotic preference for people with disabilities and, overall, a cluster-analysis resulted in three observable groups: Cluster-I, BIID with a strong sexual component (61.1%); Cluster-II, BIID with a moderate sexual component (16.7%); and Cluster-III, BIID with low or no sexual component (22.2%). However, the erotic fascination for one’s own amputation was only found in BIID afflicted persons and did not occur in people with mancophilia. Only the wish for an own handicap allows a strict differentiation between those two syndromes. In summary, these preliminary findings suggest that an erotic component seems to be a frequent part of the identity disorder BIID.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Lea Pregartbauer

Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, D-20457 Hamburg, Germany
Thomas Schnell

Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, D-20457 Hamburg, Germany
Erich Kasten

Medical School Hamburg, University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, D-20457 Hamburg, Germany

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APA Style

Lea Pregartbauer, Thomas Schnell, Erich Kasten. (2014). Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. American Journal of Applied Psychology, 3(5), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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ACS Style

Lea Pregartbauer; Thomas Schnell; Erich Kasten. Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. Am. J. Appl. Psychol. 2014, 3(5), 116-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

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AMA Style

Lea Pregartbauer, Thomas Schnell, Erich Kasten. Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences. Am J Appl Psychol. 2014;3(5):116-121. doi: 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12,
  author = {Lea Pregartbauer and Thomas Schnell and Erich Kasten},
  title = {Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Psychology},
  volume = {3},
  number = {5},
  pages = {116-121},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajap.20140305.12},
  abstract = {Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is characterized by the intense desire for some form of body impairment. Most often sufferers report wanting a healthy limb to be amputated. Currently most professionals classify this strange wish as an identity disturbance, but several BIID affected persons also speak of a sexual component when describing their desire for an amputation. In contrast to BIID, “mancophilia” (also referred to as deformation fetishism, acrotomophilia, or amelotatism) is a form of paraphilia. Those with this condition are sexually aroused by people with a physical impairment as such as an amputation. In this pilot-study we investigated the differences between BIID and mancophilia with a self-report questionnaire, which asked 36 participants (18 with BIID, 18 with mancophilia) about their sexual preferences. The results showed a considerable overlap between the sexual preferences of people with BIID and those of people with mancophilia. BIID-participants self-reported an erotic preference for people with disabilities and, overall, a cluster-analysis resulted in three observable groups: Cluster-I, BIID with a strong sexual component (61.1%); Cluster-II, BIID with a moderate sexual component (16.7%); and Cluster-III, BIID with low or no sexual component (22.2%). However, the erotic fascination for one’s own amputation was only found in BIID afflicted persons and did not occur in people with mancophilia. Only the wish for an own handicap allows a strict differentiation between those two syndromes. In summary, these preliminary findings suggest that an erotic component seems to be a frequent part of the identity disorder BIID.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Body Integrity Identity Disorder and Mancophilia: Similarities and Differences
AU  - Lea Pregartbauer
AU  - Thomas Schnell
AU  - Erich Kasten
Y1  - 2014/10/30
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
T2  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JF  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
JO  - American Journal of Applied Psychology
SP  - 116
EP  - 121
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5672
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajap.20140305.12
AB  - Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is characterized by the intense desire for some form of body impairment. Most often sufferers report wanting a healthy limb to be amputated. Currently most professionals classify this strange wish as an identity disturbance, but several BIID affected persons also speak of a sexual component when describing their desire for an amputation. In contrast to BIID, “mancophilia” (also referred to as deformation fetishism, acrotomophilia, or amelotatism) is a form of paraphilia. Those with this condition are sexually aroused by people with a physical impairment as such as an amputation. In this pilot-study we investigated the differences between BIID and mancophilia with a self-report questionnaire, which asked 36 participants (18 with BIID, 18 with mancophilia) about their sexual preferences. The results showed a considerable overlap between the sexual preferences of people with BIID and those of people with mancophilia. BIID-participants self-reported an erotic preference for people with disabilities and, overall, a cluster-analysis resulted in three observable groups: Cluster-I, BIID with a strong sexual component (61.1%); Cluster-II, BIID with a moderate sexual component (16.7%); and Cluster-III, BIID with low or no sexual component (22.2%). However, the erotic fascination for one’s own amputation was only found in BIID afflicted persons and did not occur in people with mancophilia. Only the wish for an own handicap allows a strict differentiation between those two syndromes. In summary, these preliminary findings suggest that an erotic component seems to be a frequent part of the identity disorder BIID.
VL  - 3
IS  - 5
ER  -

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