Is apotemnophilia a mental illness?

Yes, apotemnophilia, now often called Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) or Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID), is recognized as a rare psychological condition, a disorder of the mind where a healthy person feels their body is incomplete and intensely desires amputation or disability, stemming from a mismatch in body image and identity, not just a sexual preference, though it has complex neurological links and isn't yet a formal DSM-5 diagnosis but falls under mental health spectrum.

How common is apotemnophilia?

Apotemnophilia (or Body Integrity Identity Disorder - BIID) is extremely rare, with very few documented cases, but its actual prevalence is unknown due to stigma, lack of formal recognition, and people seeking information online, leading to online communities of thousands, though actual amputations remain few. Information is mostly anecdotal, but studies show many sufferers experience sexual arousal (apotemnophilia) or just a strong desire for amputation (BIID). 

How is apotemnophilia diagnosed?

Apotemnophilia (now often called Body Integrity Dysphoria or BID) isn't diagnosed with a single test but through clinical assessment of persistent, intense distress over a healthy limb feeling foreign, leading to preoccupation, social impairment, and desires for amputation or disability, with evaluation ruling out psychosis or other disorders, noting early onset (8-12 years), and recognizing neurological components via brain imaging (like right parietal lobe issues) that show body map mismatches, rather than just psychological urges or sexual compulsions.
 

What is the most serious mental illness?

There isn't one single "most serious" mental illness, as severity varies, but Anorexia Nervosa is considered the deadliest due to high mortality from health complications or suicide, while Schizophrenia is devastating due to its profound impact on reality and high disability, and Major Depression/Bipolar Disorder carry significant suicide risk and functional impairment. Serious Mental Illness (SMI) often refers to conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression, which greatly interfere with daily life, but severe anxiety disorders and eating disorders also qualify. 

Does body dysmorphia count as a mental illness?

Overview. Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health condition in which you can't stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance — a flaw that appears minor or can't be seen by others. But you may feel so embarrassed, ashamed and anxious that you may avoid many social situations.

Living With BIID: I Want To Cut Off My Leg

What is BDD slang for?

In slang, "BDD" usually refers to Body Dysmorphic Disorder, a mental health condition where someone is preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance that others don't notice or see as minor, leading to distress, mirror-checking, excessive grooming, or social avoidance, often used online in communities like Transgender or fitness forums to describe intense self-image issues. 

Is BDD a psychotic disorder?

DSM-IV's classification of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is controversial. Whereas BDD is classified as a somatoform disorder, its delusional variant is classified as a psychotic disorder. However, the relationship between these BDD variants has received little investigation.

What is the saddest mental illness?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems.

Is BPD or bipolar worse?

Neither BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) nor Bipolar Disorder is definitively "worse," as both are severe, debilitating conditions, but they manifest differently; BPD involves pervasive instability from stress, with rapid mood shifts (hours) and self-harm, while bipolar involves distinct, longer manic/depressive episodes (days/weeks) that can be more responsive to medication, though BPD often causes greater daily distress and disability due to its intense emotional pain and relationship issues. The severity depends on the individual and symptoms, with BPD often marked by intense internal emptiness and fear of abandonment, and bipolar by clear shifts into elevated (manic/hypomanic) or low (depressive) states. 

How to tell if someone has BPD?

Telling if someone has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) involves observing patterns of intense emotional instability, unstable relationships, distorted self-image, impulsivity, chronic emptiness, and a deep fear of abandonment, often seen through rapid mood swings (hours/days), black-and-white thinking, self-harm, anger issues, and risky behaviors like substance misuse or binge eating, but only a mental health professional can diagnose it. 

How to treat apotemnophilia?

Individuals with Body Integrity Identity Disorder are most likely to be offered a psychological intervention such as cognitive behavioural therapy or psychotherapy as a management option or pharmacological treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or other antidepressant medication.

How common is apotemnophobia?

The problem is that the disorder is so rare that there have been few reported cases since the first one by psychologist John Money in 1977. The report detailed a man who desired to have his left arm amputated because he had erotic thoughts about becoming disabled.

Do people with DID know they have it?

No, awareness varies greatly; some people with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) are completely unaware of their alters and internal system due to severe amnesia, while others gain awareness through therapy, journals, or finding strange items, but many initially seek help for memory gaps, confusion, or "not-me" experiences before getting a diagnosis.
 

What triggers dysphoria in people?

Causes of Dysphoria

There are a number of different factors that can contribute to feelings of dysphoria. Some of these include: Stress: Environmental stressors, like the loss of a loved one, a stressful work environment, or family conflict may cause feelings of dysphoria.

What age does BDD usually start?

Symptoms of BDD typically begin during adolescence, most commonly by 12-13 years old. [1] If a child or teen obsesses about their appearance, is overly critical of perceived minor flaws and experiences severe distress as a result, they might be showing signs of body dysmorphic disorder.

How many amputations a day?

Approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year, which means that 300 to 500 amputations are performed every day. And projected lifetime health-care costs for amputee patients are $509, 275 vs. $163, 282 for those treated with reconstruction.

At what age does BPD peak?

BPD symptoms often peak in adolescence (around 14-17) and early adulthood (20s), characterized by intense emotional storms, impulsivity, and unstable relationships, with many studies showing a decline in severity into middle age (around 40), though core issues like fear of abandonment can persist. While it's a lifelong condition, the intensity often lessens with age and treatment, making the teen years and 20s a critical period for intervention and managing the disorder's impact. 

What foods should someone with bipolar avoid?

For bipolar disorder, avoid or limit stimulants like caffeine, depressants like alcohol, and inflammatory foods high in sugar, saturated fats, and processed ingredients, as these can worsen mood swings, disrupt sleep, and interfere with medications. Specific foods like aged cheeses, cured meats, soy sauce, and ripe bananas (if on MAOIs) also need caution due to the amino acid tyramine. Focus on whole foods, omega-3s (fatty fish), and plenty of fruits and veggies, but always consult your doctor about diet changes with your specific treatment plan.
 

What are the 3 C's of BPD?

The "3 C's of BPD" refer to two common frameworks: one for understanding symptoms (Clinginess, Conflict, Confusion) and another for loved ones supporting someone with BPD (I didn't Cause it, I can't Control it, I can't Cure it). The first set highlights BPD's core issues like intense relationships, identity problems, and fear of abandonment, while the second provides boundaries for caregivers to avoid enabling or burning out. 

What is the rarest mental illness ever?

There isn't one single "rarest" mental illness, but several incredibly uncommon conditions include Zoanthropy (believing you're an animal), Cotard's Syndrome (feeling dead), Alien Hand Syndrome (hand acts independently), Body Integrity Identity Disorder (wanting amputation), and extreme forms of delusion like Fregoli or Capgras Syndrome, often linked to underlying neurological issues or severe trauma, with few documented cases for some, making them exceptionally rare. 

What are 5 signs of bipolar?

Five key signs of bipolar disorder involve extreme mood shifts (highs/mania and lows/depression), significant changes in sleep (needing little sleep during highs, too much during lows), racing thoughts and rapid speech during manic phases, intense irritability or sadness, and impulsive, risky behaviors like reckless spending or poor judgment, often alongside losing interest in activities during depressive episodes. These symptoms dramatically affect energy, focus, and daily functioning. 

Can someone with BPD ever be happy?

Yes, people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can experience happiness, but it's often intense, fleeting, and mixed with significant emotional dysregulation, making sustained contentment a challenge without treatment; however, with therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), they can learn skills to manage emotions, build resilience, and achieve stability and joy. BPD involves powerful, shifting emotions, so happiness can be intense but easily disrupted, yet skills like mindfulness, self-soothing, and processing trauma can lead to fulfillment and less struggle. 

What is the 25 rule for schizophrenia?

The "Rule of 25" in schizophrenia offers a hopeful perspective, suggesting that roughly 25% of individuals might fully recover after their first episode, another 25% see significant improvement with treatment, but still need support, while the remaining half faces more chronic challenges, with some potentially experiencing severe, persistent illness or suicide, though outcomes vary greatly. It's a shift from the older, less optimistic "Rule of Thirds" (improve/worsen/intermediate) by highlighting better recovery potential, especially with early intervention, emphasizing that good long-term function is possible. 

What is a face dysmorphia?

Facial dysmorphia is a type of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) where a person becomes obsessed with perceived, often minor or non-existent, flaws in their facial appearance, leading to significant distress, shame, and compulsive behaviors like mirror-checking, excessive grooming, or social avoidance, impacting daily life. It's an intense preoccupation that goes beyond normal insecurity, making someone believe their face looks deformed or ugly, even when others don't see it.
 

What physical conditions cause psychosis?

These include some types of head injuries, strokes or epilepsy. But people can experience psychosis with other types of physical illnesses too. If you have Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or Huntington's, you may also experience hallucinations or delusions.