Body Integrity and Identity Disorder (BIID) is a rare phenomenon in which individuals desire amputation of fully functioning limbs. BIID is described as the disparity between an individual's perception of their body and the actual structure of their body (Bayne and Levy, 2005). Other psychological disorders have been associated with BIID, including gender identity disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. The neurological origins of BIID are currently unknown and the treatment of this condition by elective amputation is very controversial. The arguments for and against elective amputation will be discussed, along with other possible treatments. Body Integrity and Identity Disorder “John first took prescription painkillers and numbed his left foot in ice water to reduce the impending pain. He then buried his foot in dry ice for six hours to cause severe frostbite and force surgeons to operate” (Adams, 2007). The preceding sidebar of William Lee Adams' article, Amputee Wannabes, describes a 33-year-old man's wish to have his foot amputated. There was no physical or medical problem with this member; John only said that he didn't feel comfortable with his own body and that he felt like his foot wasn't a part of him. John's leg was amputated above the knee, and he went on to describe that the surgery resolved his anxiety and allowed him to be comfortable in his own body (Adams, 2007). What makes someone want to have a healthy limb amputated? This desire was first reported by the French surgeon Jean-Joseph Sue in 1785 (Lawrence, 2006). However, this illusion only began to attract public attention in the early 2000s due to the increase in documented cases. Shortly after, a psychiatric condition titled Body Integrity Identity D...... middle of article...... physical versus representational deficits of bodily integrity. Experimental Brain Research, 204, 315-326. Jotkowitz, A. and Zivotofsky, A. (2009). Disorder of bodily integrity and limits of autonomy. The American Journal of Bioethics-Neuroscience, 9, 55-56.Lawrence, A. (2006). Clinical and theoretical parallels between the desire for limb amputation and gender identity disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 263-278.Muller, S. (2009). Body Integrity and Identity Disorder (BIID) – is amputation of healthy limbs ethically justified? The American Journal of Bioethics-Neuroscience, 9, 36-43. Ryan, CJ (2009). Taking risks: the ethical management of identity and bodily integrity disorder. Neuroethics, 2, 21-33. Sorene, ED, et. al. (2006). Self-amputation of a healthy hand: a case of identity and bodily integrity disorder. Journal of Hand Surgery, 31, 593-595.