Sexual Masochism : Sexual arousal in response to pain, humiliation and loss of control

1. Sexual Masochism: Sexual arousal in response to pain, humiliation and loss of control Moral Masochism: The use of self-destructive behaviour to resolve inner problems - e.g., punishing the self for bad behaviour

2. There is no evidence that sexual masochism • and nonsexual forms of masochism represent • the same phenomenon

3. Sexual masochism involves sex play within • a relationship (either real or fantasized) • Moral masochism involves a destructive • approach to life in general and tends to be • solitary and focused on the self

4. Sexual masochism transforms or removes • the self • Moral masochism emphasizes self and • one’s ability to overcome suffering and, in • doing so, gain extra credit for triumphing • over obstacles, even if they are self-imposed

5. Paradoxical--How could anyone experience • sexual pleasure from such acts that seem to defy • the rational pursuit of self-interest • Lies at the borderline of sexual deviance and • has acquired a measure of acceptance in some • parts of society

6. Still, most people don’t incorporate whips • and chains into their sexual activity and many • people believe it is, in the words of advice • columnist Ann Landers “sick, sick, sick” - But is it?

7. Empirical studies repeatedly indicate that • sexual masochists are well-adjusted, successful • individuals • Some studies characterize sexual masochists as • above average on several indices of mental • health and adjustment

8. They tend to be reliable and have high standards • for themselves and others • the practice of masochism is generally conducted • with an eye towards safety so that no lasting harm • is done

9. If sexual masochism is fairly harmless and sexual masochists are not mentally ill, why does AAP consider it a mental illness?

10. Three reasons have been suggested: Individuals that are mentally ill might be drawn to sexual masochism

11. in such cases, however, the sexual masochism • could seem as merely a symptom of a more • primary mental health problem • Presumably, if one eliminated the primary • mental health problem, the sexual masochism • would also vanish, although there would be • no necessary reason to eliminate it too

12. (2) Some people may be dependant on it for sexual pleasure • In such instances, therapy might focus on • opening up additional avenues of sexual • response, as opposed to eliminating sexual • masochism altogether

13. (3) Some individuals may engage in dangerous or injurious behaviour during their masochistic episodes • Again, therapy might focus on addressing some • deeper pathology or lack of judgement, as • opposed to complete elimination of sexual • masochistic behaviour • Most sexual masochists emphasize the importance • of safety in their sexual activities

14. While there may be moral or religious grounds • for condemning sexual masochism, science • appears to give it a fairly clean bill of health - If it is not a mental disorder, it requires no “cure” • if someone could be transformed from a • practicing sexual masochist, into a non-practicing • one, this should not be regarded as a positive • mental health outcome