Body Integrity Identity Disorder: Psychological, Neurobiological, Ethical and Legal Aspects

Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) is a new phenomenon that describes the desire of an amputation of a healthy limb. People with BIID experience the need to match their current body schema with the image of an amputee. BIID can also comprise the wish to be blind, deaf or paraplegic. For the first time this book will present several contributions from different perspectives: sufferers themselves, psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, neuroscientists, sexual therapists, lawyers, surgeons, plastical surgeons and ethicians. The book will provide an overview of the current world-wide state of research regarding the topic of BIID and contains new insights into the following aspects: - Personal accounts of people who suffer from BIID, - Detailed case studies and therapy approaches, - The underlying neuropsychology of BIID, - Reflections on ethical questions, - Parallels with Gender Identity Disorder, - Comparisons with aesthetic and plastic surgery, - Consideration of legal problems and future developments. The contributions from such a wide range of different scientific fields, provides its audience with thought provoking and illuminating insights into the previously unexplored phenomenon of BIID.