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- Nov 20, 2002
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- 1,073
Colin, I just read your excellent article and wished to discuss it. I am not a scientist, of course, but I have a personal interest in human psychology, and I believe this topic is relevant to analogous behavior in people.
I agree, as you pointed out, that in some species self-injury and biting off of limbs may be an instinctive adaptation to prevent the spread of infection. But in octopuses, I believe even more strongly than you do that stress is the major contributing factor, and is in fact a prototype (correct word?) of the same syndrome in humans.
Human self-mutilation and self-injury -- whether manifested as skin-cutting, skin-picking, or trichotillomania (pulling out one's hair) -- is found primarily in those who were abused (emotionally, physically, and/or sexually) or neglected as children. Studies of this "OCD Spectrum" condition have been done in the recent past, and as far as I know it has nothing to do with an instinctive attempt to rid oneself of infection, nor is it an intentional attempt to harm or kill oneself. Neither is it a form of masochism, as there is no sexual component to it. Rather, it induces a "trancelike" state, temporarily dissociating the individual from an untenable situation in his/her environment. (Due to the release of endorphins, perhaps?) It is also a form of sensory stimulation which in effect helps to reassure the neglected or abused individual of his/her very existence.
As a layperson, I do not know if cephalopods have endorphins. Still, the fact that this self-injurious behavior occurs in octopuses who are either stressed (intentionally or unintentionally abused) or lack enrichment in their environment (intentionally or unintentionally neglected), leads me to believe that the cause is also analogous to human self-injury syndrome.
I do not know if any research has been done in this area. I am certainly not recommending the active maltreatment of any cephalopods, but perhaps if a study were made of captive octopuses who have already been damaged in this way, it might be a step towards developing better forms of therapy (either behavioral or pharmaceutical) for humans who suffer from this syndrome.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Tani
I agree, as you pointed out, that in some species self-injury and biting off of limbs may be an instinctive adaptation to prevent the spread of infection. But in octopuses, I believe even more strongly than you do that stress is the major contributing factor, and is in fact a prototype (correct word?) of the same syndrome in humans.
Human self-mutilation and self-injury -- whether manifested as skin-cutting, skin-picking, or trichotillomania (pulling out one's hair) -- is found primarily in those who were abused (emotionally, physically, and/or sexually) or neglected as children. Studies of this "OCD Spectrum" condition have been done in the recent past, and as far as I know it has nothing to do with an instinctive attempt to rid oneself of infection, nor is it an intentional attempt to harm or kill oneself. Neither is it a form of masochism, as there is no sexual component to it. Rather, it induces a "trancelike" state, temporarily dissociating the individual from an untenable situation in his/her environment. (Due to the release of endorphins, perhaps?) It is also a form of sensory stimulation which in effect helps to reassure the neglected or abused individual of his/her very existence.
As a layperson, I do not know if cephalopods have endorphins. Still, the fact that this self-injurious behavior occurs in octopuses who are either stressed (intentionally or unintentionally abused) or lack enrichment in their environment (intentionally or unintentionally neglected), leads me to believe that the cause is also analogous to human self-injury syndrome.
I do not know if any research has been done in this area. I am certainly not recommending the active maltreatment of any cephalopods, but perhaps if a study were made of captive octopuses who have already been damaged in this way, it might be a step towards developing better forms of therapy (either behavioral or pharmaceutical) for humans who suffer from this syndrome.
Any thoughts on this?
Thanks,
Tani