Comments on: An email exchange with Dr. First about BIID.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:45:54 +0000

Hello?

I myself am a 50 year-old adult male, with a “real” “Hidden Disability” on the “Autism Spectrum” of Developmental Disabilities, and I myself even in childhood had (& still have) “Body Integrity/Image” “issues”, that have never been resolved.

With “real” “Hidden Disabilities”, such as Asperger’s Syndrome (Autism - High-Functioning), my own experience throughout life, has been, that “people do not see me as Developmentally Disabled”, despite the fact that I can “talk”.

But, much of my own “Cognitive/Behavioral Functionality”, as “tested” by an “expert” Neurologist in the field of Autism, shows, that I am “functioning” @ the level of a “10 Year Old Boy”, despite an Intellectual IQ of 135.

Medically for the past 21 years, I have been also 100% Urinary & Fecal Incontinent, necessitating use of “Adult Diapers” 24/7, per examination & evaluation by a “certified” Urologist, with 100% Uncontrollable Overactive Bladder Neuropathy.

Yet, despite being Autistic, & “permanently retired on SSDI”, I feel “incomplete”, unless, I can be a sort-of paraplegic, with no neurological “functionality” beyond an inch or 2 “below” where my spinal cord “branches” into the 2 Sciatic Nerves.

Anyway, the BIID/GID “connection” is interesting…

Thomas

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:08:41 +0000

Thanks for the information Roger. I’m glad it went well for you. I have really found Dr. First to be very good and helpful. He’s not offering therapy, but he’s extremely good value :)

I’d be interested to hear more about how things are going with your wife as it relates to your brace need.

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:54:03 +0000

Dr First interviewed me by phone over 3 sessions before Christmas. The process was straightforward and stress free.

Partly as result of speaking with him and a very level headed and helpful email he sent me afterwards, I have been able to be more open with my wife about my abasiophilia (need to wear leg-braces), which I feel is a form of BIID.

It will be interesting to see what sense Dr First makes of all our various contributions and whether BIID gets incorporated into DSM-V.

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 03 May 2007 19:40:06 +0000

I agree that an overwhelming need to have ones own legs braced is truly a form of BIID, whereas getting pleasure from seeing others in braces is not. There are plenty who both want/need to be in braces themselves and also enjoy seeing others in braces …and envy them!

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:01:30 +0000

Roger, thanks for your comments. Dr. First is gearing up for it, it just takes some time to get through the hoops set before one can do a study.

That said, I think that you have to look at what you understand abasiophillia to be. If you look at it from the perspective of “I need to need braces to get around”, then, yeah, it’s in the BIID scale. But if you look at it from the perspective of “I’m turned on/attracted by people who wear braces or at the idea of wearing braces myself”, then it is more in the realm of “devotee” and abasiophillia is more appropriate. Word is ugly as sin, as are most of the “philias” words. But accurate in that case.

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 16:45:44 +0000

Let us hope Dr First does do a further BIID study with a wider scope of BIID candidate conditions. The term “abasiophilia” is widely used on my site, but it has an overtone of deviancy that is not appropriate (or correct) and a better term is needed. In the past I have tried terms like “fascination”. Abasiophilia IS a form of BIID in my book.

By: rorschach

rorschach — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:30:48 +0000

This is really refreshing to hear. Thank you Sean. As always I am grateful for your levelheaded approach to this subject.

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 21:04:01 +0000

Finca, I’ve been asking the owners and host of biid.org to make these changes for years. They refuse.

By: Finca Finco

Finca Finco — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:19:12 +0000

I think it´s important to make some changes on the biid.org website and giving information about this fact.

By: Stumpy

Stumpy — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:45:50 +0000

I have been lucky enough to have been helped by Dr First somewhat directly.
I joined the military last year and ever since I have regretted it because my transabled feelings only intensified. I spoke to the command about my problems and they sent me to see the shrink. My doc said that she had spoken to Dr First about my case. That helped my doc to understand what I am going through and with her recomendation I’m on my way home.
I think we’re lucky to have Dr First, and I hope that he is able to officially include Paralysis to BIID, as it should be.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:43:04 +0000

Fascinating!! I wonder what he thinks about the post I wrote comparing BIID and GID.

By: Tegumai

Tegumai — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 06:19:14 +0000

Makes sense. We’re still in a learning and evolving stage and will be for quite a few decades.

The best science happens when things don’t fit the accepted model. Of course for political, and societal acceptance, they prefer things to stay the same as always.