Definition
Acrotomophilia is a paraphilia characterized by sexual arousal or attraction towards individuals who are amputees or have a specific amputation fetish.
Subtypes
Acrotomophilia
This subtype is the most common one and refers to the sexual attraction towards individuals with one or more amputations.
Apotemnophilia
Apotemnophilia is a similar but distinct condition characterized by an intense desire to either become an amputee or to have a limb amputated voluntarily. While related to acrotomophilia, it involves an individual’s desire for amputation, rather than solely the attraction to amputees.
Symptoms
The symptoms of acrotomophilia may include:
- Experiencing persistent and recurrent sexual fantasies involving amputees or amputations
- Experiencing intense sexual arousal or gratification when engaging in sexual activities with an amputee or imagining oneself as an amputee
- Feeling a strong preference for sexual relationships with amputees
- Spending a significant amount of time and energy seeking out and/or engaging in sexual activities involving amputees
- Experiencing distress or impairment in daily life due to the sexual fetish
Treatment
Like other paraphilias, treating acrotomophilia typically involves therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or psychoanalytic therapy. These therapeutic approaches aim to help individuals understand and manage their sexual desires, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and address any underlying psychological issues that may contribute to the paraphilia.