Legless

**English assassin** · 01-29-2007, 17:34

OK, that title was in very bad taste, as you will shortly discover.

Here http://society.guardian.co.uk/health...000991,00.html is the story of a woman with body identity integrity disorder. To sum up, she had two normal healthy legs, but she wanted to be a double amputee.

I thought it was an interesting story. What to take from it? One thing is clear, BIID is real. No one repeatedly tries to freeze their legs off without having somethign wrong with them. But what I am left wondering is why the solution is in the body, and not the mind? Is it a reflection on the west's fetishising of self expression and identity that we do not treat women like this as mentally ill? Is it latent guilt for a time not so long ago when other, far lesst disturbing, behaviour was seen as aberrant (its only about 50 years since they stoped trying to "cure" homosexuals, after all).

And, if they are her legs, and she can support herself (sorry) as a double amputee, should we allow personal autonomy to go so far as deliberate self mutilation?

**Del Arroyo** · 01-29-2007, 18:09

People like this need to be re-educated. What a complete nitwit. I hope she is hopelessly in debt from her needless medical bills.

**Xiahou** · 01-29-2007, 18:12

I fully expect some here to say that removing her legs would cure her.

**Vladimir** · 01-29-2007, 18:14

Originally Posted by Xiahou

I fully expect some here to say that removing her legs would cure her.

So would removing her head. That's where the problem lies.

**Fisherking** · 01-29-2007, 18:33

With your health care system does the government, and there by everyone, pick up the tab?

In a perfect world I suppose some one would try to help her out with a good head shrink. But that is no guarantee of a fix. There used to be that little thing about being a danger to your self or others…but we have cut the cord on that one to it would seem.

I guess if she wanted a sure fire quick fix she might try a train track……………………….

**BDC** · 01-29-2007, 19:35

She's ill. People shouldn't be so harsh on ill people, it all has a way of coming back to haunt you.

**BDC** · 01-29-2007, 19:41

Ooops.

**Fragony** · 01-30-2007, 11:57

Originally Posted by Xiahou

I fully expect some here to say that removing her legs would cure her.

That actually happens, it's a rather strange condition, these people think these limbs just aren't theirs. There is nothing else that can be done at the moment.

before the tiger took both his arms off

How did he manage to do that? Usually best to stay away from them.

**Tribesman** · 01-30-2007, 12:19

How did he manage to do that?

An important lesson for anyone out there who may just happen to be completely absolutely unbelievably stupid .
If for some strange reason you feel the need to stick your arm into a tigers cage , when the inevitable happens do not try and retrieve your lost arm from the cage by sticking your remaining arm into the cage .

Like I said Frag , he was a walking bollox anyway , now he is an armless walking bollox .

**InsaneApache** · 01-30-2007, 12:39

Originally Posted by Tribesman

An important lesson for anyone out there who may just happen to be completely absolutely unbelievably stupid .
If for some strange reason you feel the need to stick your arm into a tigers cage , when the inevitable happens do not try and retrieve your lost arm from the cage by sticking your remaining arm into the cage .

Somehow, I know you're not making this up.

Maybe he should get together with the girl and start a club.

**Vladimir** · 01-29-2007, 18:11

Strange, I didn't think the Guardian was a tabloid.

**lars573** · 01-29-2007, 18:26

Originally Posted by English assassin

OK, that title was in very bad taste, as you will shortly discover.

Here http://society.guardian.co.uk/health...000991,00.html is the story of a woman with body identity integrity disorder. To sum up, she had two normal healthy legs, but she wanted to be a double amputee.

I thought it was an interesting story. What to take from it? One thing is clear, BIID is real. No one repeatedly tries to freeze their legs off without having somethign wrong with them. But what I am left wondering is why the solution is in the body, and not the mind? Is it a reflection on the west's fetishising of self expression and identity that we do not treat women like this as mentally ill? Is it latent guilt for a time not so long ago when other, far lesst disturbing, behaviour was seen as aberrant (its only about 50 years since they stoped trying to "cure" homosexuals, after all).

And, if they are her legs, and she can support herself (sorry) as a double amputee, should we allow personal autonomy to go so far as deliberate self mutilation?

Hmm there was an episode of Nip/Tuck (called Ben White) about a guy with this kind of disorder. A googling later and what was described on that episode is mostly true. That right now it's considered a psychological disorder and the medical community try to treat it as such. And try and prevent them from doing DIY amputations, or hurting themself into needing one. Problem is that like being transgendered, or having BDD (body dismorphic disorder), the only real solution is the physical change.