When an individual experiences persistent sexual excitement stemming from fantasies, urges, or behavior related to experiencing physical or psychological harm during sexual activity is known as sexual masochism. Sexual masochism disorder is a category of paraphilic disorders.
Paraphilia is a strong sexual interest in abnormal sexual activities that cause stress, functional disturbances, and harm to oneself or others. The best way to get over it is to consult a well-known sexual masochism therapist.
Masochistic actions may be the preferred or exclusive mode of having sexual excitement. People may act out their masochistic fantasies on themselves, for example, by
- Binding themselves
- Piercing their skin
- Applying electrical shocks
- Burning themselves
Or they may seek out a partner who may be a sexual sadist. Activities with a partner include being
- Bound
- Blindfolded
- Spanked
- Forced to cross-dress
- Part of a simulated rape
Note: If you find this situation within you or your partner, you must go for sexual masochism treatment. This helps you to revive your relationship.
What are the symptoms of Masochism Addiction?
People with sexual masochistic addiction get sexual excitement and arousal from receiving physical, mental, or psychological pain, humiliation, or suffering.
These people may be receiving pain, humiliation, or suffering at other people's hands or inflicting hurt, embarrassment, or suffering themselves.
They experience impaired functioning or distress because of their masochistic addiction, behavior, and fantasies. Their impaired functioning or state of pain can impact their social and professional functioning capability.
Treatment of Sexual Masochism Disorder
Sexual masochism treatment is only possible when you recognize you are suffering from this disorder. A therapist certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) can help assess distressing or harmful behavior, implement safety precautions, and help explore shame or any conflicting emotions.
Some medications have also been shown to effectively reduce compulsive behavior associated with sexual masochism disorder when used in conjunction with therapy.
- Sex Therapy
Certified sex therapists specializing in paraphilias will ensure a knowledgeable and non-judgmental approach to psychotherapy. A sex therapist will take a detailed sexual and psychosocial history to assess for factors contributing to a masochistic interest and its expression through urges, fantasies, and behaviors. In addition, a sexual masochism therapist can also help in:
- Safety planning and harm deduction are to employ when engaging in BDSM activities.
- Skills for navigating urges as they arise and mindfulness exercises or self-soothing techniques for reducing pain.
- Medication
Medication is also increasingly used to control fantasies and behavior, indicating paraphilia. This is specially used for people who exhibit dangerous masochistic behavior patterns. Further, it can be treated in two different ways, including
- Antidepressants
- Antiandrogens
The Bottom Line
There is nothing wrong with having sexual kinks or fetishes, even if they involve bondage or suffering. Healthy people from all walks of life engage in BDSM fantasies and activities.
As long as everything is consensual and doesn’t involve debilitating injury to yourself or your partner, it’s probably okay. But, if you have crossed a limit, a reliable sexual masochism therapist can help you to overcome from this problematic situation.
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