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]

[edit] 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][8]

[edit] See also

• Disability pretenders, those who behave as if they are disabled
• Attraction to disability

[edit] References