Sexual Sadism is a psychosexual disorder. By causing physical pain or psychological distress (e.g., humiliation, terrorism) to another person a sadist gets sexual stimulation – arousal, excitement and gets sexual satisfaction – orgasm.
After the violent behavior, the sadist might have a negative feeling (guilt feeling). Mostly, sadistic behavior backfires, causing much distress after the belligerence.
Everyone has emotionally hurt someone in one way or the other. These are mostly
- Out of ignorance
- In the heat of an argument
- When felt threatened
But sadism differs from this behavior. Some of the main components of sadism are
- Intention to harm
- Deriving pleasure when inflicting pain on others
- A lack of regret
- Failure to take responsibility
The essential feature of sexual sadism is not in the feeling of sexual excitement resulting from the infliction of true pain on the victim, but rather it is from witnessing his or her suffering.
Some forms of mild aggression, such as love bites, pats or scratching, are within the range of normal behavior during sexual intercourse. With a consenting couple the sadistic behavior generally only involves mild pain and/or the simulation of more dangerous pain. The intent is mutual excitement.
- Enjoy seeing people hurt.
- Enjoy inflicting pain on others.
- Cherish the idea of others being in pain.
- Think it is all right to cause others pain.
- Fantasize about hurting others.
They may do various forms of sexual acts such as bondage, gagging, slapping, hair pulling, choking to the partners. The extent and level of the traumatic violence can vary considerably, from causing mild pain in a harmless love game to extreme brutality, sometimes leading to serious injury or death. The satisfaction of the sadist may result not from inflicting actual physical pain but rather from the mental suffering of the victim. Sexual urges may limit the level of violence. But in some cases the aggressive impulse becomes predominant and the sadist progresses to extreme manifestations of his violent tendencies. Sadism may be a factor in some violent crimes, particularly rape and murder.
Ever since sadism first appeared in the historical writings, sexual sadism has proven to be an elusive concept to define and quantify, involving widespread sexual irregular behavior.
Today there is some agreement on aspects of sexual sadism — such as behavior and imagination related to the infliction of pain, suffering and humiliation.
But the psychopathology of the disorder is uncertain. A satisfactory, comprehensive theory of the causes of sexual sadism has not yet been developed and tested. People with sadism generally have a desire for power and control.
The main reasons for this desire include:
- Poverty
- Injustice
- Personal failures
- Domestic or child abuse
- Untreated childhood trauma may enhance the sadist’s feelings
- Family histories of psychiatric problems and drug abuse
- Personal histories of abuse including sexual, physical abuse
Prevalence of sexual sadism varies considerably. Sadistic acts range from physically not harming, but humiliating by urinating, defecating to criminal, violent behavior. In extreme cases, sexual sadism can lead to serious injury or death.
Sexual sadists differ in the degree of sadism
- minor sadism (e.g., humiliation of the victim and degrading acts)
- major sadism (e.g., torture and murder).
The true sexual sadist is cruel and his actions are not wanted by the victim. For example, spanking involves only minimal pain; whereas whipping, shocking, burning, beating, stabbing, strangling, raping, mutilation and murder indicate torture and suffering.
- Above average brilliance
- Systematic, cunning and tricky
- Carefully planned and well thought out crimes
- Usually do not commit crimes in their home or workplace
- Travel many miles in committing crimes
- Engage in fantasy / imagination and rituals
- Chooses victims who are strangers
Selects victims according to certain characteristics, such as the expectation that they are easier to control by force and manipulation
- Socially adept and uses their charisma and personality to attract the victim.
- Deeply insecure
- Coward, Afraid of danger
- Pretends to be courageous
- Antisocial
- Cruel, Violent
- Inhumane nature
- Enforcing sadism with compulsive personalities
- Balances social and individual needs
- Unable to put limits to their vicious behaviors
- Possesses the right to be merciless
- Resorts to physical violence after reaching the limit
- Uses aggression to release piled-up feelings of frustration
- Deeply frustrated to hopelessness prevailing in life
the presence of fantasizing followed by compulsive masturbation and criminal acts that were not of a sexual nature, such as stealing or assaulting children and small animals.
Finally, there was a presence of a disillusioned or negative body image which could contribute to their need to control others when they could not control themselves on a personal level.
Positive channeling of power can help the patient to get rid of the sadistic desires. Most cases of sadistic behavior require counseling and therapy to modify a person’s behavior. To completely cure sadistic personality, patients must undergo long-term treatment. The patient’s compliance with the treatment is of utmost importance as non-cooperation to the therapy and counseling can hinder its success.
Dr. Vijayakumar did his MBBS in Kilpauk Medical College and later went on to Madras Medical College for his Master courses in Clinical Pathology. He underwent masters in Psychology and Yoga. Underwent Fellowship training in Andrology and Clinical Embryology by Prof Ariff Bongso. Did his PhD in Hormones, Yoga and Sexual problems. He has been trained by the Council of Sex Education & Parenthood International (India). He was the first medical professional to start an exclusive clinic for the management of sexual problems in Salem,Tamil Nadu in the year 1988. He has put up more than thirty years experience. He has offered professional help to thousands of persons especially newly married. Besides treating sexual dysfunctions, he is also an expert in treating pre-marital counselling.
Trekking and offroad jeeping are his other passions.