Is BDSM an Illness?

Today, discrimination against BDSM practitioners (bondage, dominance, sadomasochism) remains a problem. The view within the mental health field is that non-standard sexual practices are pathological and should be included in the diagnostic manual. Due to this, people who practice BDSM are being discriminated against. Some even risk losing their jobs, housing and custody of their children due to their ‘inappropriate’ sexual behaviors.

Recently, some research papers prove that BDSM practitioners are not ‘mentally sick’. For instance, Cross and Matheson (2006) state that SM practitioners have the same rates of mental illness and the same degree of psychological adjustment as non-practitioners. In addition, Richters et al (2008) declare that “BDSM is simply a sexual interest attractive to a minority, not a pathological symptom of past abuse or difficulty with ‘normal’ sex”.

Despite the research findings, many of us find it difficult to see BDSM as ‘normal’ because some of the sexual behaviors seem frightening and unpleasant to the outsider. However, if we look at this from a different perspective, we may be able to understand the other side of ‘pleasure’. For instance, people who like ‘dirty talk’ during sex may understand how pleasurable (erotic) a little bit of humiliation can be. Also, if we see from the outside of sexual content, some common experiences such as horror movies, extreme sports, boxing and so forth illustrate that pleasure can be derived from many differing sources.

Another common barrier to understanding BDSM is the perceived need to explain the origin of the behaviors: ‘why’ would people want to get tied up or to flog their partners? For this, we need to acknowledge that the question itself is problematic as it is biased against sexual minority groups. Just as people want to know the origins of homosexuality but do not question how heterosexuality develops, we often assume a negative reason for the minority Other in order to justify ourselves (mainstream).

Regarding BDSM activities, there are some misunderstandings that should be pointed out here. First, BDSM activities specifically prohibit rape and sexual contact with children. Second, the difference between a violent sexual sadist and a sadist in the BDSM community is that the former has no interest in the needs of the partner, while the later usually prides him/herself on how well she/he takes care of the masochist. Thus, BDSM activities can be seen as an alternative way of human bonding.

BDSM practitioners have been viewed as “extraordinary lovers” because through them we can learn about romance, creativity, sexual bonding, healing as well as how to keep sex vibrant and authentic in long-term relationships. Through BDSM activities, we may also understand and accept our diverse sexualities at an earlier stage before entering into a serious committed relationship.

References:

• Cross,P. & Matheson, K. (2006). Understanding sadomasochism: An empirical examination of four perspectives. Journal of Homosexuality, 50 (2/3) 133-166.

• Richters, J., de Visser, R., Rissel, C., Grulich, A., & Smith, A. (2008). Demographic and psychosocial features of participants in bondage and discipline, ‘sadomasochism’ or dominance and submission (BDSM): Data from a national survey. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 5(7), 1660-1668.