Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 19 April 2024

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DSM-IV: Sexual Masochism

Individuals with this paraphilia use sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors involving being beaten, humiliated, bound or tortured to enhance or achieve sexual excitement.

Diagnostic criteria for 302.83 Sexual Masochism

A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving the act (real, not simulated) of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer.

B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Based on the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition APA

Also: masochist, sadomasochism, Sadism

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.