Growing Mental Disorder

Post by **Sylvus** » July 11, 2003, 4:40 pm

Costing an Arm and a Leg
The victims of a growing mental disorder are obsessed with amputation.
By Carl Elliott
Posted Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 10:15 AM PT

Baz remembers first seeing an amputee when he was a 4-year old boy in Liverpool. By the time he was 7 he had begun to think, "This is the way I should be." It was not until Baz was in his 50s, however, that he actually had his leg amputated. Baz froze his leg in dry ice until it was irreversibly damaged, then persuaded a surgeon to complete the job. When he awoke from the anesthetic and his left leg was gone, he says, "All my torment had disappeared."

Whole, a riveting new documentary by Melody Gilbert that recently premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and will soon be shown at festivals in Calgary and London, is about an increasingly visible group of people who call themselves "amputee wannabes." Wannabes desperately wish to have their healthy limbs removed, and some have succeeded in having it done. Kevin, a university lecturer and one of several wannabes featured in the film, had his leg amputated by Robert Smith, a surgeon in Scotland who has amputated the legs of two otherwise healthy people. George Boyer shot his own leg off with a shotgun. Others have used chain saws and homemade guillotines. Why? Nobody really knows, including the wannabes themselves, who often say they have had the desire since they were children. "It's obviously peculiar," admits Kevin. "But knowing it is peculiar and saying it is weird does not do away with the problem."

The rest of the article can be found here.

Interesting article, I had no idea that there were people like that out there. Is it just me or are people getting more and more insane lately? It's like the classic crazy just isn't crazy enough, and people need to find new ways to push the envelope. I have trouble feeling sympathy for someone who would do something like that to themself. Does that make me insensitive?

The question I have for you all though is whether that should be legal or illegal? I mean, it's your body and they let people get crazy piercings and tongue splitting and whatnot...

Homercles · Post by **Homercles** » July 11, 2003, 4:50 pm

I just hope these wackos dont become eligible for disability. Or have the right to file suit against an employer if they dont fit the need of there newly lost limb impediment. Or they dont get an artifial limb if even one real amputee is in need. And their health insurance should not cover any prosthetics, or the surgery itself.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 11, 2003, 5:39 pm

Disabled people and amputees cost government and society money and time to cater to. I don't mind paying the expense for people who are disabled through no fault of their own or unintentionally, but I'd sooner just shoot some fucking retard in the head if he wanted to amputate his leg.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » July 12, 2003, 11:54 am

kyoukan wrote:Studies have shown that if you deny prisoners fundamental human desires like entertainment, cigarettes, junk food, and social interaction with the outside world that they become more violent, more difficult to control, harder to rehabilitate and more expensive to incarcerate than if you didn't.

If you take away everything there is that makes a human being a human being then all they have left is their anger and hatred.

If you really think prisoners get it easy you should check out what a maximum security prison is like.

Yep, should take out a full page fucking ad in the newspaper:

PRISON IS THE WIN11!!!1!
3 SQUARES A DAY, COMPUTERS, LARGE SCREEN TV'S, LUSH GROUNDS, FULL SECURITY.

kyoukan wrote:Disabled people and amputees cost government and society money and time to cater to. I don't mind paying the expense for people who are disabled through no fault of their own or unintentionally, but I'd sooner just shoot some fucking retard in the head if he wanted to amputate his leg.

Criminals are so much more deserving of sympathy than those with mental disorders. You are a twisted little fuck.

I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 12, 2003, 1:03 pm

I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.

Does that mean you want to shoot Aranuil in the head?

noel · Post by **noel** » July 12, 2003, 1:19 pm

I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.

I don't really have a huge problem with this statement, given that I support capital punishment...

The rest of your post is a fucking embarassment... just like you.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » July 12, 2003, 4:35 pm

Criminals are so much more deserving of sympathy than those with mental disorders. You are a twisted little fuck.

Yes, because that's exactly what she said.

You really are a very disappointing human being.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » July 12, 2003, 7:11 pm

Aranuil wrote:
I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.
I don't really have a huge problem with this statement, given that I support capital punishment...

The rest of your post is a fucking embarassment... just like you.

Hey asshole, if you think that Kyoukans position is defensible you are a fucking joke. I realize that you are now painted with a brush as a predator, asskisser, and general fool but even someone like you can see how FUCKING far over the line her post was.

Then again what should I expect from someone such as yourself.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » July 12, 2003, 11:34 pm

so many dudes get fucked over on the rape deal due to some pissed off ex gf or something lies and declares rape, and then fucks up the guys life...

and weather or not there guilty or innocent but just accused you want to fuckin instill capital punishment? move your ass to Congo or some shit, you will be happy as hell with the capital punishment laws there

Pahreyia · Post by **Pahreyia** » July 13, 2003, 10:46 am

Atokal wrote:
Aranuil wrote:
I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.
I don't really have a huge problem with this statement, given that I support capital punishment...

The rest of your post is a fucking embarassment... just like you.
Hey asshole, if you think that Kyoukans position is defensible you are a fucking joke. I realize that you are now painted with a brush as a predator, asskisser, and general fool but even someone like you can see how FUCKING far over the line her post was.

Then again what should I expect from someone such as yourself.

now now Toker, he's got 3k more posts than you do... he knows better.

Kindo · Post by **Kindo** » July 13, 2003, 11:01 am

This may or may not be a "new" mental illness, but there have probably been people with these desires around for quite some time. I certainly don't understand it, but any type of self-mutilation baffles me. (self-mutilation being extreme piercings, tatoos, tongue splitting, scarring, branding, ect.)

I'm certainly no mental health professional, but I would think there would be some type of treatment that would work. From reading the rest of the article, it doesn't sound like anyone has tried to work on a treatment plan. There are treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder and desires to cut off healthy body parts seem to be within the scope of that.

Anyway, your question was about thoughts on the legality of it. I don't think it should be legal, but I think the bigger issue for health care providers would be the ethical aspect. With no medical reason to cut off a healthy body part, it just shouldn't be cut off. If the practice was outlawed, I imagine there would be back alley practitioners that would just see dollar signs and do it any way.

It sounds like this is a legitimate mental illness and under no circumstances should those with mental illnesses be chastised or punished, no matter how strange or outrageous "normal" people think their behavior is. If they manage to have limbs cut off, I agree with the sentiment that they shouldn't get disability, but if you want to press the issue, they could have probably received disability for the mental angle. Most likely, some lazy SOB who just doesn't want to work is not going to go for this angle to get out of working.

Definitely an interesting article Sylvus.

noel · Post by **noel** » July 13, 2003, 5:24 pm

Atokal wrote:
Aranuil wrote:
I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.
I don't really have a huge problem with this statement, given that I support capital punishment...

The rest of your post is a fucking embarassment... just like you.
Hey asshole, if you think that Kyoukans position is defensible you are a fucking joke. I realize that you are now painted with a brush as a predator, asskisser, and general fool but even someone like you can see how FUCKING far over the line her post was.

Then again what should I expect from someone such as yourself.

Perhaps you should read her post again. I'll summarize it for you:
1. Government support for citizens with amputations for credible reasons/unfortunate circumstances cost taxpayers a lot of money.

2. If an individual requires an amputation for a credible reason, she has no problem with it/paying for it.

3. She doesn't think any support should be given to someone so fucked in the head that they purposefully choose to cut off one of their extremities.

I think that about sums it up, and it makes perfect sense to me.

The only thing I've ever preyed upon Atokal are idiots like yourself. You post stupid, I call you on it. For fuck's sake, when's the last time you made a rational post with clear points on ANY argument, and didn't feel the need to call someone out? Fool? At least I don't have to reduce myself to profanity-ridden posts to prove I have no valid opinion on an argument.

Sorry, you lose again. You should expect to get owned.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » July 13, 2003, 10:49 pm

Aranuil wrote:
Atokal wrote:
Aranuil wrote:
I would rather shoot a rapist, child molester, murderer in the head than rehabilitate them.
I don't really have a huge problem with this statement, given that I support capital punishment...

The rest of your post is a fucking embarassment... just like you.
Hey asshole, if you think that Kyoukans position is defensible you are a fucking joke. I realize that you are now painted with a brush as a predator, asskisser, and general fool but even someone like you can see how FUCKING far over the line her post was.

Then again what should I expect from someone such as yourself.
Perhaps you should read her post again. I'll summarize it for you:
1. Government support for citizens with amputations for credible reasons/unfortunate circumstances cost taxpayers a lot of money.

2. If an individual requires an amputation for a credible reason, she has no problem with it/paying for it.

3. She doesn't think any support should be given to someone so fucked in the head that they purposefully choose to cut off one of their extremities.

I think that about sums it up, and it makes perfect sense to me.

The only thing I've ever preyed upon Atokal are idiots like yourself. You post stupid, I call you on it. For fuck's sake, when's the last time you made a rational post with clear points on ANY argument, and didn't feel the need to call someone out? Fool? At least I don't have to reduce myself to profanity-ridden posts to prove I have no valid opinion on an argument.

Sorry, you lose again. You should expect to get owned.

Hahaha, look fuckstain.

1. /nod

2. /nod

3. With out your spin on it, She would rather shoot a RETARD in the head.
Get it shit for brains. People with mental problems are deserving of medical treatment, All mental patients cost the taxpayer money everyone of them, so by her thinking they should all be shot in the head.

Because one has an outward exhibition of this mental problem (removing a healthy limb) It makes them worse than the Bolemic, or the ones that cannot function safely on their own and need constant supervision?

Yet on another thread she is full of sympathy for habitual criminals who cause harm to others. Your reasoning is as flawed as your character.

Perhaps we should tap all the kids with down syndrome as well hrmm?
Asshole.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » July 13, 2003, 10:56 pm

She is calling them retarded for wanting to amputate their own limbs. Not because they are mentally challenged, dumbass. That is what everyone BUT YOU can comprehend in that statement.

Kwonryu DragonFist · Post by **Kwonryu DragonFist** » July 13, 2003, 11:00 pm

I'd shoot myself in the head if i lost a leg !

I couldn't live with that, no more DragonKicks, ScorpionKicks, Triple Kicks!

Losing a leg is worse for me than losing an arm, but losing an arm would be truly depressing as well, no more chi-sao or grappling!

I cannot believe that people really WANT to lose limbs! They are so precious to you!

Well, something must have happened in their head when they were young.

I just cannot understand it or see the "benefits" they see in losing a limb?

noel · Post by **noel** » July 13, 2003, 11:11 pm

Atokal wrote:Hahaha, look fuckstain.

1. /nod

2. /nod

3. With out your spin on it, She would rather shoot a RETARD in the head.
Get it shit for brains. People with mental problems are deserving of medical treatment, All mental patients cost the taxpayer money everyone of them, so by her thinking they should all be shot in the head.

The thread is about a specific mental disability, not all of them. Additionally, I didn't see her specifically state that she was against preventative therapy.

Because one has an outward exhibition of this mental problem (removing a healthy limb) It makes them worse than the Bolemic, or the ones that cannot function safely on their own and need constant supervision?

Did you mean 'bulemic'? The point is, if someone does this, why should we have to support them at that point? Society is far too forgiving, catering to people that purposefully hurt themselves for attention.

Yet on another thread she is full of sympathy for habitual criminals who cause harm to others. Your reasoning is as flawed as your character.

My character is just fine, thank you.

Perhaps we should tap all the kids with down syndrome as well hrmm?

I don't agree with you. I don't think we should tap children who are born with a disability, and I don't understand why you're trying to advocate that. That's pretty horrifying.

I think there's a big difference between an individual who is born with a disability, and one that inflicts a disability on themselves.

Asshole.

Have a great day.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » July 13, 2003, 11:15 pm

Maybe I've fried too many brain cells tonight, but what was wrong with the word supervision?

noel · Post by **noel** » July 13, 2003, 11:34 pm

Vetiria wrote:Maybe I've fried too many brain cells tonight, but what was wrong with the word supervision?

Reading comprehension > Me.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » July 14, 2003, 6:36 am

Zamtuk wrote:She is calling them retarded for wanting to amputate their own limbs. Not because they are mentally challenged, dumbass. That is what everyone BUT YOU can comprehend in that statement.

Yes you stupid shit, it is a normal, rational individual who wants to chop off a healthy limb correct?

It is a mental disorder, something you obviously are bothered by. Perhaps that cranium of yours is getting to heavy and needs to be removed.

Kguku · Post by **Kguku** » July 14, 2003, 6:47 am

Atokal wrote:All mental patients cost the taxpayer money everyone of them

So I guess this means Atokal AKA Captain Stupid, is costing me money.

Atokal · Post by **Atokal** » July 14, 2003, 10:12 am

Kguku wrote:
Atokal wrote:All mental patients cost the taxpayer money everyone of them
So I guess this means Atokal AKA Captain Stupid, is costing me money.

Yes I guess I am KgukucloneofAranuil, easy for you to jump on the wagon and not post an opinion on topic. Much like all of your well thought out concepts and ideas.

Here is a thought, when you are done sucking off the established wankers on this board and have one, just one mind you, thought of your own try posting it.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » July 14, 2003, 10:13 am

You're just mad cuz no one is sucking you off. Well, there is someone but I don't want to hurt your feelings again.

Kguku · Post by **Kguku** » July 14, 2003, 10:37 am

Atokal wrote:easy for you to jump on the wagon and not post an opinion on topic.

Oh wow, this coming from someone who posts on a topic about PE killing a mob about how Aranuil is a 'rapist'. You are the definition of 'on topic'. So I guess I better bow to your on topic ways.

125 and counting.

noel · Post by **noel** » July 14, 2003, 11:34 am

Atokal wrote:...easy for you to jump on the wagon and not post an opinion on topic...

I don't really think it's appropriate for you to make statements like this when you're spending more time flaming the other posters on this thread than you are commenting on the topic itself. I would further add that it looks very much like you're playing the role of devils advocate simply to spite certain individuals.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » July 14, 2003, 2:49 pm

Why do you even dignify this idiot with responses?

rhyae · Post by **rhyae** » July 15, 2003, 3:13 pm

Reminds me of Munchausen Syndrome, people who fake illness to get attention.
"Individuals have injected themselves with toxins, body wastes, and other lethal substances. They have purposely injured themselves, faked temperatures, and ingested medications to get the attention and sympathy of others and the medical field. They have endured unnecessary medical and surgical procedures to keep the attention on themselves."