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	TSR : Web boards : Other Topics : "Sadism and Masochism as a Mental Disorder" Sadism and Masochism as a Mental Disorder (7) This post is on the Other Topics web board. Fri 17 Apr 09, 5:17 AM 000-953-143 US(MI), 9 yrs I have been taking a college course where we have been discussing gender and sexuality. It has mainly been a course to extend thinking on sex and gender as more then just their social norms. This has brought me to a very burning question. How does treating sadism and masochism as a mental disorder affect the community of people who practice acts that would fall under these categories, but do not have the mental or social distress to make it a mental disorder? This could also pose question to why they are considered mental disorders and also play into the laws that surround the culture. kitten posted with permission by omerta88 18 Apr 09, 5:53 PM SeanT70 9 yrs Out of morbid curiosity, what are you studying, and with a view to attaining..and then after that what is this particular module of coursework about as a whole? The thing for me, is, I 'do' have a personal standpoint to your question, but am curious to know where this fits in with what you're studying in the long-term Sean. Lovingly Owned by ~Miss Phay~ 18 Apr 09, 8:33 PM EvaMaria US(CA), 3 yrs Based on the idea that a state of mental health requires in part the capacity for positive social interaction, (empathy, a sense of natural rights, absolute morality, etc.) I think sadism by nature would have to be considered a disorder. That's not to say I believe the proclivity is always overwhelming, or that its existence can't be coped with in a healthy way - C and I have done so for nearly 7 years. But I do think it's a characteristic requiring something "above and beyond" ordinary consideration. For us, the M/s nature of our relationship is a part of that consideration. Unhappily, that's about the extent of what I know/think re: sadism. I'd like to learn more, particularly in the area of nature vs nurture. If you have any titles or links you'd like to share, I'd appreciate it. 000-953-143 wrote: How does treating sadism and masochism as a mental disorder affect the community of people who practice acts that would fall under these categories, but do not have the mental or social distress to make it a mental disorder? When you say "mental or social distress to make it a mental disorder", are you saying such distress is necessary to the definition? Eva (The property formerly known as Camille ) 19 Apr 09, 7:55 PM slave_emma US(OK), 6 yrs Y! Ah, everyone is a little bit crazy. I remember reading about when homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder, yet there were still people that were openly gay or lesbian. Does that mean that at that time, or even now, homosexuals should be locked up in mental institutions? No, it means that not everyone understood the way their mind worked. Likewise, sadism and masochism are classified as mental disorders because they are not fully understood. There are varying extremes of sadism and the most extreme would probably be the serial killers and rapists who fall into that category. I would gander to say that most, if not all, of the people on these board to do not wish to be classified with murders and rapists. I think that the thing that makes it okay for people to engage is sadistic or masochist activity is knowing where that line is between fun and danger. I have found some links to a couple of old threads that may be of interest to you. http://www.seekdiscipline.com/posts/177049/0/#14... http://www.seekdiscipline.com/posts/177095/0/#14... Best wishes, slave emma Master Howard's little girl 13 May 09, 12:30 AM 000-953-143 US(MI), 9 yrs 000-874-172 wrote: Out of morbid curiosity, what are you studying, and with a view to attaining..and then after that what is this particular module of coursework about as a whole? The thing for me, is, I 'do' have a personal standpoint to your question, but am curious to know where this fits in with what you're studying in the long-term Sean. I was taking a course in Gender Studies and Sexuality. So the idea of whether or not it was ok to consider these acts mental disorders was brought up in class discussion severals times. As well as other sexual deviance, homosexuality used to be one of them, but was removed from the DSM-IV in the 70s. The question of where to draw the line on sexual deviance was often questioned. kitten posted with approval by Omerta88 17 May 09, 12:37 AM MRmaster00 US(MA), 5 yrs Y! 000-953-143 wrote: 000-874-172 wrote: Out of morbid curiosity, what are you studying, and with a view to attaining..and then after that what is this particular module of coursework about as a whole? The thing for me, is, I 'do' have a personal standpoint to your question, but am curious to know where this fits in with what you're studying in the long-term Sean. I was taking a course in Gender Studies and Sexuality. So the idea of whether or not it was ok to consider these acts mental disorders was brought up in class discussion severals times. As well as other sexual deviance, homosexuality used to be one of them, but was removed from the DSM-IV in the 70s. The question of where to draw the line on sexual deviance was often questioned. kitten posted with approval by Omerta88 Yes, as with almost any fetish or socially out of the ordinary behavior, the medical community has some diagnosis to make. Even though almost every human being has some fetish ( we all enjoy one thing more than another ) maybe even to an extreme. So does that make it a disorder ? or just a personal preference ? Lets say this : If someone only had sex for the purpose of procreation and never else, denying them self the pleasure of the act ( this is what many believe in ) Would this not be a disorder ? by way of denial, and out of the norm. There is allot of gray area here. Which is better than white. So call me a deviant and I will say they are a prude. MR 20 May 09, 11:53 PM MMs_brat US(IN), 4 yrs Y! I would have to say that it's because people just don't know, and what they don't know scares the sh*t out of them. Better to label it, and call it a mental disorder, rather than deal with learning more about the lifestyle. Besides, if it's labeled a mental disorder, then people can make money on it trying to find a "cure". Follow the money. Brat, Owned and collared TPE sadomasochistic slave of Mistress Mollie. 22 May 09, 2:32 AM his_slavepet US(GA), 4 yrs Y! Having worked extensively in this field, I would offer this humble observation: By definition, for something to be considered a mental "disorder" it must negatively impact functioning in two or more areas of a person's life: home/family, social/society, work/school, etc. What we must ask ourselve is whether or not what we do negatively affects us. Does it impair our functioning in two or more areas of our lives (and this can include not being able to wear certain clothing because of bruising). This is my understanding. It is up to you all to decide whether or not you are "disordered" *smiling*. As Seal said, "We all get a little crazy." Be well in your journeys and may much joy follow your paths. jpet "You are indeed beautiful, worthy and capable, and you will become even more so, my dear slavepet, under my hand. We will make the trip together." - Master David