Health Topics for Mental and Emotional Health

Department of Psychiatry

Sadism

Sadism is a sexual disorder. A sadist is a person who is aroused by the suffering or humiliation of another person. Sadism with a consenting partner is not always illegal. Laws vary depending upon where you live.

Sadism involves causing physical or psychological pain or suffering to another person. As long as it occurs with a consenting partner, sexual sadism is not considered to be a psychological disorder. It is considered a disorder when it causes unhappiness to the person with it, causes problems with work, social setting, or family, or when there is potential danger to another individual. If the other person is not willing, sadism can be a severe and even criminal disorder.

Like some masochists, some sadists require the pain or humiliation in order to function sexually. Others may engage in more typical sexual activities at some times and sadistic activities at other times. Sadists often seek out masochists as sexual partners. The sexual arousal in sadism is directly related to the suffering of the other person.

Some acts involve actual physical violence, including cutting, burning, or beating. Other acts involve domination, such as making the other person crawl or keeping him or her in a cage. Still other acts involve humiliation.

Sexual sadism is much more common in males. Heterosexual masochists usually have difficulty in finding sadistic female partners. However, the incidence in females appears to be on the rise. Most sadists begin having fantasies about these activities in childhood. They usually begin experimenting with partners by early adulthood.

Some people may engage in sadistic acts with consenting partners for many years without ever actually injuring anyone. Other sadists may need to increase the severity over time. These sadists may eventually seriously injure or kill someone. Sexual sadists who attack nonconsenting victims tend to continue until legal authorities catch them.

Sexual sadism involving unwilling victims is extremely difficult to treat. Sexual sadism with consenting partners is treated with psychotherapy from a specialist in the field. Contact the State Board of Mental Health in your state for the name of a specialist.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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