Is BDSM wrong and can I feel good about myself if I love it? How was the decision made that BDSM is a real social nono? And who in the world made that decision? If it is a consensual act between adults then why does psychologist even care? But first before answering these questions, lets look at some of todays changing views of BDSM.
Just as homosexuality is no longer considered a mental illness, BDSM is no longer viewed as pathological by the majority of the psychological community. Just as the general public has not fully accepted homosexuality, it has not fully accepted BDSM. In the intellectual and psychological communities, BDSM is gaining a wider acceptance and is now believed to be a lifestyle choice.
By now we all know the basic meaning of bdsm. It is a catch all for terms like B&D (Bondage & Discipline), D&S (Dominance & Submission), and S&M (sadomasochism) so we will dispense with any additional review of the words meaning. We will now go directly to a detailed discussion of some psychological views of the practice of bdsm.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association. This book commonly called the DSM is the bible in the practice of psychology that is used to define mental disorders. One of the major uses of the DSM is to properly categorize an illness in order to get insurance companies to pay for treatment. In prior versions of the DSM, sadism and masochism were considered to be disorders. BDSM fantasies alone, over a period of time, could be considered disorders in the older DSMS.
The DSM-IV (forth version) restructures what is considered a S&M disorder to a more realistic definition. With both masochism and sadism, there are two criteria (A&B for each shown below) that must be met in order to make a diagnosis of a disorder. Note: (DSM-5″) is currently in planning and due for publication in May 2013
A disordered related to bdsm is now defined in the DSM-IV as; you must have the fantasies, urges, etc., and the fact that you have them must make you effectively dysfunctional in an important area of your life. The keywords are now defined as these fantasies or actions must make you dysfunctional. This was not necessary in past editions of the DSM that you were dysfunctional.
Sexual Masochism and Sadism and BDSM:
*From the DSM-IV:
302.83 Sexual Masochism.
In order for BDSM to be a disorder BOTH A and B must be present:
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.
302.84 Sexual Sadism.
In order for BDSM to be a disorder BOTH A and B must be present:
A) Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving acts (real, not simulated) in which psychological or physical suffering (including humiliation) of the victim is sexually exciting to the person.
B) The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
In addition, the DSM-IV states the following about non-pathological sexual behavior; a paraphilia must be distinguished from the non-pathological use of sexual fantasies, behavior or objects as a stimulus for sexual excitement.
*From the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. (DSM-IV). These criteria are listed in the Paraphilia section, pg. 525.
Note: It seems to me that almost anything could be classified as a dysfunction if the conditions of B are met, not just BDSM. This step in changing the DSM is a huge step for the lifestyle and has been a long time coming. Lots of clinical research was required over many years that disputed the older DSMs opinions before changes were made.
These changes in the DSM-IV mean that you are NOT considered a sexual dysfunctional person just because you attend a munch group that is BDSM based or belong to a BDSM related on-line chat group. Sorry to disappoint you, but these activities no longer qualify you to call yourself a pervert according to the DSM-IV. You will have to try a different avenue to earn the title of pervert.
Granted, the DSM-IV did not go as far as many in the lifestyle would have liked in changing the definition, but it is at least a start.
The change in the DSM-IV is founded on modern fields of psychology that view BDSM in a sociological perspective and do not consider sadomasochism to be pathology or deviant behavior. It is now viewed simply as a lifestyle choice that causes no harm to individuals unless it causes a dysfunction in your life.
Paul Gebhard, an anthropologist, stated, Sadomasochism is embedded in our culture since our culture operates on the basis of Dominant-submissive relationships and aggression is socially valued (Fetishism and Sadomasochism published in 1969). Gebhard provided strong evidence that sadomasochism is based on culture as opposed to biology and is therefore a social behavior. Gebhard considered it as an activity that involves at the minimum two people and didnt view it as an individual engaged in sadism or masochism. He explained how SM play came to be in certain parts of the world, but not in others. He then explained that BDSM is a subculture with its on values, rules, language and formally structured organizations. Gebhards work has been a foundation of many social psychological views of BDSM.
It is interesting that one of the major factors in the changing of the mindset of psychology came from an anthropologist. Who would have guessed?
Andreas Spengler did a major study of SM practitioners that was published in 1977. The study showed that the only thing SM practitioners had in common was that they, as a general rule, 1) had a high standard of living, 2) had social status, and 3) were well educated. The vast majority were perfectly happy with their sexual preferences, with their biggest fear being the social stigma attached to BDSM. (A. Spengler, Manifest Sadomasochism of Males: Results of an Empirical Study, Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 6).
In my opinion, there are two major groups in the field of psychology that would like to cling to the old concept that BDSM is an illness and/or a social no-no. They are the students of the Freudian psychoanalytical theory and some of the Feminist theories of psychology. Both have their own agenda as to why they believe the DSM is wrong.
The Freud followers have a hard time accepting contemporary concepts that BDSM is a lifestyle choice and not pathological because Freud said it was pathological. It is as simple as that. Freud said it, so it has to be true.
Sheldon Bach, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychology at York University states that Despite the research indicating that S&M does no real harm and is not associated with pathology, Freuds successors in psychoanalysis continue to use mental illness overtones when discussing (consensual) S&M.
Students of some Feminist psychological concepts have opposed the lifestyle choice concept on moral grounds. BDSM, in their opinion, goes against the more desired concept of self-independence and is not equated to the equality of the sexes. They fail to see it as a lifestyle choice and is not destructive to the submissives self-image. Now, this is not a blanket statement that includes all Feminist psychological theories, just some.
Just as homosexuality is no longer considered a mental illness, BDSM is no longer viewed as pathological by the majority of the psychological community. Just as the general public has not fully accepted homosexuality, it has not fully accepted BDSM. In the intellectual and psychological communities, BDSM is gaining a wider acceptance and is now believed to be a lifestyle choice.
By now we all know the basic meaning of bdsm. It is a catch all for terms like B&D (Bondage & Discipline), D&S (Dominance & Submission), and S&M (sadomasochism) so we will dispense with any additional review of the words meaning. We will now go directly to a detailed discussion of some psychological views of the practice of bdsm.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is published by the American Psychiatric Association. This book commonly called the DSM is the bible in the practice of psychology that is used to define mental disorders. One of the major uses of the DSM is to properly categorize an illness in order to get insurance companies to pay for treatment. In prior versions of the DSM, sadism and masochism were considered to be disorders. BDSM fantasies alone, over a period of time, could be considered disorders in the older DSMS.
The DSM-IV (forth version) restructures what is considered a S&M disorder to a more realistic definition. With both masochism and sadism, there are two criteria (A&B for each shown below) that must be met in order to make a diagnosis of a disorder. Note: (DSM-5″) is currently in planning and due for publication in May 2013
A disordered related to bdsm is now defined in the DSM-IV as; you must have the fantasies, urges, etc., and the fact that you have them must make you effectively dysfunctional in an important area of your life. The keywords are now defined as these fantasies or actions must make you dysfunctional. This was not necessary in past editions of the DSM that you were dysfunctional.
Sexual Masochism and Sadism and BDSM:
*From the DSM-IV:
302.83 Sexual Masochism.
In order for BDSM to be a disorder BOTH A and B must be present:
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.
302.84 Sexual Sadism.
In order for BDSM to be a disorder BOTH A and B must be present:
A) Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent, intense sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors involving acts (real, not simulated) in which psychological or physical suffering (including humiliation) of the victim is sexually exciting to the person.
B) The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
In addition, the DSM-IV states the following about non-pathological sexual behavior; a paraphilia must be distinguished from the non-pathological use of sexual fantasies, behavior or objects as a stimulus for sexual excitement.
*From the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition. (DSM-IV). These criteria are listed in the Paraphilia section, pg. 525.
Note: It seems to me that almost anything could be classified as a dysfunction if the conditions of B are met, not just BDSM. This step in changing the DSM is a huge step for the lifestyle and has been a long time coming. Lots of clinical research was required over many years that disputed the older DSMs opinions before changes were made.
These changes in the DSM-IV mean that you are NOT considered a sexual dysfunctional person just because you attend a munch group that is BDSM based or belong to a BDSM related on-line chat group. Sorry to disappoint you, but these activities no longer qualify you to call yourself a pervert according to the DSM-IV. You will have to try a different avenue to earn the title of pervert.
Granted, the DSM-IV did not go as far as many in the lifestyle would have liked in changing the definition, but it is at least a start.
The change in the DSM-IV is founded on modern fields of psychology that view BDSM in a sociological perspective and do not consider sadomasochism to be pathology or deviant behavior. It is now viewed simply as a lifestyle choice that causes no harm to individuals unless it causes a dysfunction in your life.
Paul Gebhard, an anthropologist, stated, Sadomasochism is embedded in our culture since our culture operates on the basis of Dominant-submissive relationships and aggression is socially valued (Fetishism and Sadomasochism published in 1969). Gebhard provided strong evidence that sadomasochism is based on culture as opposed to biology and is therefore a social behavior. Gebhard considered it as an activity that involves at the minimum two people and didnt view it as an individual engaged in sadism or masochism. He explained how SM play came to be in certain parts of the world, but not in others. He then explained that BDSM is a subculture with its on values, rules, language and formally structured organizations. Gebhards work has been a foundation of many social psychological views of BDSM.
It is interesting that one of the major factors in the changing of the mindset of psychology came from an anthropologist. Who would have guessed?
Andreas Spengler did a major study of SM practitioners that was published in 1977. The study showed that the only thing SM practitioners had in common was that they, as a general rule, 1) had a high standard of living, 2) had social status, and 3) were well educated. The vast majority were perfectly happy with their sexual preferences, with their biggest fear being the social stigma attached to BDSM. (A. Spengler, Manifest Sadomasochism of Males: Results of an Empirical Study, Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 6).
In my opinion, there are two major groups in the field of psychology that would like to cling to the old concept that BDSM is an illness and/or a social no-no. They are the students of the Freudian psychoanalytical theory and some of the Feminist theories of psychology. Both have their own agenda as to why they believe the DSM is wrong.
The Freud followers have a hard time accepting contemporary concepts that BDSM is a lifestyle choice and not pathological because Freud said it was pathological. It is as simple as that. Freud said it, so it has to be true.
Sheldon Bach, Ph.D., clinical professor of psychology at York University states that Despite the research indicating that S&M does no real harm and is not associated with pathology, Freuds successors in psychoanalysis continue to use mental illness overtones when discussing (consensual) S&M.
Students of some Feminist psychological concepts have opposed the lifestyle choice concept on moral grounds. BDSM, in their opinion, goes against the more desired concept of self-independence and is not equated to the equality of the sexes. They fail to see it as a lifestyle choice and is not destructive to the submissives self-image. Now, this is not a blanket statement that includes all Feminist psychological theories, just some.