

However, BIID is such a rare condition that there's not enough research on the condition. Your brain believes your body should be and feel different than it does.īody mapping occurs in your youth, when many people with BIID report their first feelings of discomfort with their body. Psychologists and neurologists, however, have one primary working theory: BIID is caused by your brain not mapping your body correctly. Some researchers believe the following factors could cause BIID: There isn't one specific cause of BIID, but there are theories about its origins. What Are the Causes of Body Integrity Identity Disorder?īody integrity identity disorder isn't well understood. If someone you know has BIID, you may notice repeated, unexplained injuries to the same part of their body. In severe cases, people with BIID will go to extreme lengths to amputate or disable themselves without medical help.Īn obsessive need to amputate a limb can be deadly if the amputation is not done correctly, and unfortunately, people with BIID can turn to self-mutilation if they can't find proper help. There are strong similarities between BIID and other identity disorders like transsexualism and gender identity disorder.īIID is linked to chronic dysphoria, with those affected feeling like their bodies are not what they should be. Recent research has started linking this feeling to certain psychiatric and neurological reasons. People with BIID want to be their "true self," which often comes with a desire for amputation or disability to help them feel "complete" inside. These coincide with BIID's stressful and emotional toll on your mental health.īIID is considered an identity disorder, and some research has been done to suggest that it could be congenital. When you don't feel right in your body, depressive symptoms and mood disorders can occur. As a result of this condition, you have a feeling that your body needs to be modified to help you feel complete or satisfied.

What’s the Impact of BIID on Your Health?īody integrity identity disorder has been found to start in early childhood. If you have body integrity disorder (BIID), you may have a strong desire to amputate a limb or seek to become paralyzed. It occurs when your mental body image doesn’t match your physical body.

Body integrity identity disorder is a very rare condition.
