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Sadism and Masochism

Sadism and Masochism, collectively known as sadomasochism is a psychological tendency where an individual derives pleasure, usually sexual gratification, from either inflicting or suffering from physical/psychological pain or humiliation.


Introduction

Sadism and Masochism, collectively known as sadomasochism is a psychological tendency where an individual derives pleasure, usually sexual gratification, from either inflicting or suffering from physical/psychological pain or humiliation. These fantasies, sexual urges or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. - as per criteria given in DSM 5.


The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), has categorized sadomasochism under Paraphilias. Paraphilic disorders are characterized by recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours to atypical objects, situations, fantasies, behaviours or individuals. Commonly known as the SM/S&M from BDSM (Bondage&Discipline, Dominant Submissive, Sadomasochism).


Difference between BDSM and S/M as paraphilia

  • BDSM is an umbrella term and can be said to be a lifestyle whereas S/M is the activities within the lifestyle. BDSM is discipline, guidance, rules, trust, care and a mixture of a whole lot of complex emotions, however, S/M is mainly about the pain, physiological and psychological.

  • Consensual acts of BDSM will not be classified as a disorder. As long as the act is not posing any sort of significant distress to any of the individuals involved it will not be considered a sexual disorder.

  • As a matter of fact, consensual roleplaying and acts of BDSM are known to have increased trust among partners.


The terms ‘sadism’ and ‘masochism’ were coined by the German psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing, in his book ‘psychopathia sexualis’. He had given both the terms differently suggesting that a person can either be a sadist or a masochist. However, Sigmund Freud, a psychoanalyst noted that a single individual can be both a sadist as well as a masochist, therefore, converging both the terms to give the term “sadomasochism”. Many sadists and masochists have said themselves to be interchangeable, thus, proving Freud right.


Sadism

The term ‘sadism’ is derived from Marques de Sade, who, for sexual purposes, inflicted such cruelty unto his victims that he was eventually involuntarily admitted into a psychiatric hospital.


Symptoms

  • Sexual sadism is the recurrent and intense sexually arousing urges or fantasies or behaviours that involve inflicting psychological or physical pain on another individual.

  • These urges are present for at least 6 months.

  • Cause significant distress or impairment in daily life.


Effects

  • The pain inflicted by sadists may come from whipping, biting, cutting or burning. The act may vary in intensity, from fantasy to severe mutilation and sometimes also leads to murder.

  • Sadists derive pleasure from the feeling of being dominant in authority and power from the masochist’s suffering. The individual may act on their urges with unconsented people.

  • Sadism can be a method of displacement or scapegoating in which uncomfortable feelings such as anger, frustration, or guilt is taken out upon another individual.

  • Extreme sexual sadists may mentally replay their torture scenes later while masturbating. Some serial killers, who are also sexual sadists sometimes record their sadistic acts.


The exact cause of the development of these fetishes is still unclear and since many individuals, naturally, are unwilling to talk about these preferences since it is an extremely sensitive and personal topic it becomes difficult to diagnose sexual sadism.

However, it is important to note that occasional, short-lived interest in sadomasochistic acts will not be recognized as sadism as a paraphilia. Modification to distinguish between sexual sadists who are dangerous from those who are not is being worked upon.


Masochism

The term ‘Masochism’ is derived from the name of the Austrian novelist Leopald V. Sacher-Masoch, whose fictional characters derived sexual pleasure from being dominated and made to experience pain.


Symptoms

  • Sexual masochism is recurrent or intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges or behaviours involving the act of being humiliated, beaten, bound or otherwise made to suffer.

  • Urges are present for at least 6 months.

  • Cause significant distress or impairment in daily life.


Effects

  • Masochist acts might include binding, beating, humiliating, ordering (bark like a dog etc.), verbally abused, forceful cross-dressing etc.

  • The cause of masochism, as speculated by psychologists can be that being compliant might provide some an escape from real-world responsibilities and duties. Also, being under a strong, controlling authority, might give them a sense of security and protection that they did not receive in their childhood.

  • However, masochism can become dangerous when it takes the form of ‘Autoerotic Asphyxia’.

  • Autoerotic Asphyxia is the act of strangling or suffocating oneself to reach a level of hypoxia or heightened sexual arousal and orgasm. When oxygen does not reach your brain, you experience a state of euphoria, dizziness and extreme high.

  • Many masochistic individuals find sexual gratification in this act, and even though their intention is just sexual pleasure often due to long time deprivation of oxygen supply they die.

  • Accidental deaths caused due to this practice ranges from 500-1000 per year in the United States.


However, in large urban communities, a BDSM subculture exists, where people enjoy mild bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism.


Therefore, it is important to distinguish these occasional interests in sadomasochistic practices from sexual sadomasochism as paraphilia.


References

Books:

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders - DSM 5

  • Abnormal Psychology - Pearson 17edition

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