Sadism

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Sadism refers to the act of deriving pleasure, often sexual, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. Named after the French nobleman Marquis de Sade, who was notorious for his libertine sexuality, sadism is often associated with a range of sexual activities that involve dominance and submission, role-playing, restraint, and other interpersonal dynamics.

Definition[edit | edit source]

Sadism is defined as the tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others. This term is often used in the context of sexual practices, but it can also refer to a general personality trait or disposition. Psychologists and psychiatrists often classify sadism as a type of paraphilic disorder.

History[edit | edit source]

The term 'sadism' is derived from the name of the French nobleman Marquis de Sade, who was known for his libertine sexuality and erotic works that involved sexual violence, suffering, and death. His works were considered scandalous and were often banned or censored.

Clinical Classification[edit | edit source]

In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), sadism is classified as a type of paraphilic disorder. This classification includes both sexual sadism disorder and non-sexual sadism disorder, depending on whether the individual derives pleasure from the suffering of others in a sexual context or not.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Sadism Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD