apotemnophilia

English

Etymology

Coined in a 1977 paper by J. Money et al. in the Journal of Sex Research,[1], from Ancient Greek ἀπό (apó, “away”) + τέμνω (témnō, “cut”) +‎ -philia.

Noun

apotemnophilia (uncountable)

1. (psychology) A psychological disorder characterized by the intense and long-standing desire for amputation of a specific limb.
2. (psychology) A compulsion to become, or appear to be, an amputee.
   • 1983, W. Everaerd, “A case of apotemnophilia: a handicap as sexual preference”, in American Journal of Psychotherapy‎^[2], volume 7, number 2, page 285:

     This paper seeks to present information on apotemnophilia. It points out the need of a man to have a healthy leg amputated, despite the fact that he cannot find a surgeon who will do so.

   • 2000 February 1, Gerard Seenan, “Healthy limbs cut off at patients' request”, in The Guardian:

     In most cases of apotemnophilia the desire to be an amputee is linked to a form of sexual arousal, but Mr Smith said there was no suggestion that any of his patients were motivated by sexual urges.

   • 2007 February 23, Chuck Shepherd, “News of the Weird”, in Chicago Reader‎^[3]:

     News of the Weird has reported several times on people with apotemnophilia, or body integrity identity disorder--the consuming desire to have one or more healthy limbs removed.

Antonyms

• apotemnophobia

Coordinate terms

• acrotomophilia

Derived terms

• apotemnophilic

Translations

compulsion to become an amputee

• Finnish: apotemnofilia
• Portuguese: apotemnofilia f
• Spanish: apotemnofilia f
• Swedish: apotemnofili c
• Turkish: apotemnofili