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(#7) Many Sufferers Choose To Travel Abroad For Amputations
Over the course of several years, Dr. Furth assisted other BIID patients in finding doctors abroad willing to perform amputations. A 2014 German study of 21 BIID patients discovered that 10 of them left the country for their appendage-removal procedure.
Of the remaining patients, eight took matters into their own hands, while one suffered an accident which removed the offending limb.
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(#11) A Co-Author Of The 1977 Study Suffered From BIID
Dr. Furth suffered from the disorder he first highlighted for the scientific community in 1977. A co-author on the initial BIID study, Furth went on to serve as a matchmaker of sorts for fellow sufferers of the condition - introducing a select few to doctors willing to perform amputations on healthy limbs.
Although Furth never underwent amputation himself, he spent many years sending BIID patients to Asia for surgery. Before his death from cancer in 2005, Furth handed off his duties to another BIID patient so the procedures could continue.
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(#5) Xenomelia Can Lead To Self-Removal Or Severe Damage Of The Chosen Limb
Several studies note that patients attempted amputations through various methods - and without medical supervision. The 2014 study of 21 German BIID patients reported self-inflicted removal of limbs, with the methods used including "dry ice, a pellet-gun, self-induced infections, medicines, or a railway-coach to roll about the leg."
In an interview with Medium in 2013, "David" admitted he attempted to remove his leg by stopping blood flow to the area and said he later planned to destroy it with dry ice. "Patrick," meanwhile, conducted a test amputation of the first joint of his left index finger, cutting off its blood supply and immersing it in a makeshift numbing agent before hacking off the tip of the digit.
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(#2) It Shares Characteristics With A Disorder Found In Some Stroke Victims
Researchers believe that somatoparaphrenia can occur after a stroke, affecting the right parietal lobe of the brain. The disorder manifests as a feeling of disconnection with limbs - frequently a left arm - which is very similar to BIID. Administering cold water into the patient's ear canal temporarily alleviates the symptoms.
Some studies suggest the same treatment may help those suffering from xenomelia, since the disorder might relate to the same part of the brain.
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(#10) The Condition Is More Prevalent In Men
Dr. First estimates thousands of people may suffer from the condition, making it relatively rare. Of that small subset of people, the majority are men. A 2005 study used phone interviews with 47 men, one intersex individual, and four women who suffer from BIID to collect data which revealed the dominance of the disorder among men.
A 2014 survey of patients, meanwhile, involved over 85% men, while a 2018 study also included more men than women.
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(#1) Patients Don't See The Limb As Part Of Their Body
In 2000, Dr. Gregg Furth detailed his obsession with removing his right leg above the knee to Salon. The psychologist told writer Randy Dotinga the desire to amputate his leg dates back to around age 5. Furth says the leg is not part of him and it keeps him from being a whole person.
Other BIID victims report similar feelings that their limb is not an actual part of their being. Many even blame the offending limb for their depression or inability to create lasting relationships.
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This is not the first time David has tried to amputate his leg. When he just graduated, he tried to cut off his leg and then took a tourniquet made of old socks and strong binding thread. Two hours later, the pain became unbearable, and fear weakened his willpower. This is a typical symptom of xenomelia that is a neuropsychiatric disease.
Patients will strongly and persistently believe that one or more of their limbs are not part of their body, they may harm their own healthy limbs, and their thoughts and behaviors are out of control. The random tool explains 12 details about how xenomelia leads healthy individuals to amputate their limbs.
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