Sexual Masochism Disorder | Psychology Today Singapore

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id="block-breadcrumbsblock-2"> <div class="breadcrumbs container"> <span class="breadcrumb-trail"><a href="/sg/conditions">Conditions</a></span>  >  <span class="breadcrumb-trail"><a href="/sg/conditions#sexuality">Sexuality</a></span>  >  <span class="breadcrumb-trail">Sexual Masochism Disorder</span> </div> </div> </div> </header> <div class="outer-layout-container"> <main class="layout-content layout-container" > <div class="layout-content-full"> <div> <div data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-container--grid layout-container--primary-left-rail--single"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div> <div id="block-pt-content" class="block">     <article data-history-node-id="15641" role="article" class="basics-full"> <div class="content-header d-flex reference-header"> <div class="content-header--text"> <h1 class="reference__title section-title">Sexual Masochism Disorder</h1> <p class="reference__review-info fine-print"> <a href="/sg/docs/editorial-process" class="reference__review-info-link"> <span class="reference__review-info-icon"></span> <span class="reference__review-info-text">Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff</span> </a> </p> </div> </div> <div> <div class="reference__body"> <div class="field-name-body"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/sex" title="Psychology Today looks at Sexual" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">Sexual</a> masochism disorder is a paraphilic disorder, which involves recurrent, intense, sexually arousing </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/fantasies"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>fantasies</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, urges, or behaviors that are distressing or disabling and have the potential to cause harm to oneself or others. </span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Sexual masochism refers to engaging in, or frequently fantasizing about, being beaten, bound, humiliated, or otherwise made to suffer, resulting in sexual satisfaction. If people with this sexual preference report psychological or social problems as a result, they may be diagnosed with sexual masochism disorder. The types of distress that people with this disorder may experience include severe <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">anxiety</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/guilt" title="Psychology Today looks at guilt" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">guilt</a>, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/shame" title="Psychology Today looks at shame" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">shame</a>, and obsessive thoughts about engaging in sexual masochism.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>In contrast, if a person with sexually masochistic desires declares no distress, anxiety, ob&<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/shyness" title="Psychology Today looks at shy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">shy</a>;sessions, guilt, or shame, about these paraphilic impulses, and are not hampered by them in the course of daily life, they could be determined to have masochistic sexual interest but should </span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><em><span>not</span></em></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span> be diagnosed with sexual masochism disorder.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>One specific type of sexual masochism is called asphyxiophilia, in which a person receives sexual satisfaction by having their breathing restricted. While some people engage in this practice with partners, others prefer to restrict their breathing while they are alone, and accidental death may happen as a result.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Sexually masochistic behavior is usually evident by early adulthood, and sometimes begins with masochistic or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/sadism" title="Psychology Today looks at sadistic" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">sadistic</a> play during <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at childhood" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">childhood</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> <div class="table-of-contents border-top"> <h4 class="table-of-contents--title">Contents</h4> <ul> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#symptoms"> Symptoms </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#causes"> Causes </a> </li> <li class="table-of-contents--item"> <a href="#treatment"> Treatment </a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="reference__sections"> <div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="symptoms" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Symptoms </div> <div class="section__body"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>According to the <span><span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/dsm" title="Psychology Today looks at DSM-5" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">DSM-5</a></span></span>, to be diagnosed with <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/sex" title="Psychology Today looks at sexual" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">sexual</a> masochism disorder a person must experience recurrent and intense sexual arousal from being beaten, humiliated, bound, or aroused from some other form of suffering. These types of urges, fantasies, or behaviors must be present for at least six months and cause clinically significant troubles or difficulty in social, occupational, or other important areas in life.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The extensive use of <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/pornography" title="Psychology Today looks at pornography" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">pornography</a> involving the act of being humiliated, beaten, bound, or otherwise made to suffer is sometimes an associated feature of the disorder</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Why do people practice sexual masochism? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>In a recent study, the most frequent reason for engaging in masochism and sadism was to give or exchange power with another person. Others responded that the practice allowed them to enter into an alternative state of consciousness, one that could lead to a somewhat meditative and relaxed state.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What is the prevalence of sexual masochism in the population? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>According to a meta-analysis of research, BDSM-related (<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/bdsm" title="Psychology Today looks at Bondage" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">Bondage</a> and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadochism, and Masochism) fantasies were found to be common in both males and females, with 40 to 70 percent of the population engaging in fantasies about the acts, while about 20 percent reported engaging in BDSM. Individual studies have found similar, if smaller ranges, with several studies estimating 5 to 14 percent of Americans have engaged in BDSM. Few studies have focused on only masochistic behaviors. One study that did indicated only 1 to 2 percent of study participants in Australia engaged in sexual masochism.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Is sexual masochism a largely Western phenomenon? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>There’s evidence to suggest sexual masochism may be unevenly distributed around the world and is most common in the affluent West, though there is less study of it outside of Western countries. BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadochism, and Masochism) practitioners appear to be most often white, well educated, and young.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--4 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> How is sexual masochism disorder diagnosed? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>A <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/psychiatry" title="Psychology Today looks at psychiatric" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">psychiatric</a> diagnosis of sexual masochism is quite distinct from the act of enjoying sexual masochism. There are active communities of those who find sexual pleasure from bondage, domination, and masochism. For these people, life is not upended by such sexual preferences. To have a diagnosable sexual masochism disorder, the patient must experience <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/anxiety" title="Psychology Today looks at anxiety" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">anxiety</a>, ob&<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/shyness" title="Psychology Today looks at shy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">shy</a>;sessions, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/guilt" title="Psychology Today looks at guilt" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">guilt</a>, or <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/shame" title="Psychology Today looks at shame" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">shame</a> about the acts for a prolonged period, typically six months or longer. </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-block d-none d-md-block d-lg-none block" id="block-ad-subpage-300x250-programmatically-rendered"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>article continues after advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="causes" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Causes </div> <div class="section__body"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There is no universally accepted theory explaining the root of sexual masochism, however, several ideas have been advanced. One theory suggests that paraphilias originate when inappropriate <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/fantasies" title="Psychology Today looks at sexual fantasies" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">sexual fantasies</a> are forbidden, and become stronger as they are suppressed. Another theory suggests that sadomasochistic behavior is a form of escape from one’s thoughts and allows the practitioner to enter into something resembling a meditative state. Through acting out fantasies, individuals allow themselves to feel new and different. Another theory suggests that <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/child-development" title="Psychology Today looks at childhood" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">childhood</a> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/trauma" title="Psychology Today looks at trauma" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">trauma</a>, such as <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/sexual-abuse" title="Psychology Today looks at sexual abuse" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">sexual abuse</a>, can later manifest in a paraphilic disorder.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> <div class="faqs"> <div class="faq faq--1"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> What causes someone to be a masochist? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>In <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/myths-desire/202006/the-sexual-science-masochism-and-submission">one recent study</a>, the significant majority of participants reported they had an intrinsic interest in masochism/submission starting at a young age. A smaller number of people connected the impulses to childhood sexual abuse and to parental discipline.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--2"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Is there a difference between men and women in sexual masochism? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>According to recent research, women reported fantasizing about being dominated significantly more than men (65 percent in women compared to 54 percent in men), while men reported fantasizing about dominating someone significantly more than women (60 percent in men compared to 47 percent in women). Women desired to engage in masochism significantly more than men (28 percent in women compared to 19 percent in men).</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="faq faq--3 collapsed faq--last"> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/Question"> <div class="faq--title d-flex"> <div itemprop="name" class="h3 faq--question"> Does engaging in sexual masochism mean a person is more likely to be a psychopath? </div> <div class="faq--control-container"> <button class="faq--control"> <div class="faq--control-icon"> <svg width="13px" height="8px" viewBox="0 0 13 8" version="1.1" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">  <desc>Created with Sketch.</desc> <defs></defs> <g id="-small" stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"> <g id="Tests---Listing-Page---SM" transform="translate(-490.000000, -597.000000)" fill="#2C2D30"> <g id="Left-col" transform="translate(74.000000, 162.000000)"> <g id="Table" transform="translate(0.000000, 426.000000)"> <polygon id="navigatedown" points="422.310547 16.3125 428.621094 10.0019531 427.62793 9 422.310547 14.3173828 416.993164 9 416 10.0019531"></polygon> </g> </g> </g> </g> </svg> </div> </button> </div> </div> <div itemscope="" itemprop="acceptedAnswer" itemtype="https://schema.org/Answer" class="faq--answer"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>In the past, it has been believed that someone with a desire for sexual masochism must have psychiatric problems, including <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/psychopathy" title="Psychology Today looks at psychopathy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">psychopathy</a>. Recent research indicates that this is not true. Several recent studies suggest good psychological health among BDSM practitioners.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="section section--separator"> <div id="treatment" class="section-anchor skip-inline-link-filter"></div> <div class="h2 section-title"> Treatment </div> <div class="section__body"> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Treatment for sexual masochistic disorder typically involves <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at psychotherapy" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">psychotherapy</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/psychopharmacology" title="Psychology Today looks at medication" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">medication</a> that can reduce sex drive. The goal of psychotherapy may be to uncover and work through the underlying cause of the behavior that is causing distress. Cognitive therapies include restructuring cognitive distortions and empathy training. Restructuring cognitive distortions involves correcting any beliefs a patient has that may lead them to act on harmful thoughts. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy" title="Psychology Today looks at Cognitive-behavioral" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">Cognitive-behavioral</a> therapy can also help an individual learn skills to manage their sexual urges in healthier ways. Other common strategies include aversion therapy and imagery/desensitization techniques, in which individuals imagine themselves in a situation where they are participating in sexual masochism, and then experience a negative event to reduce future desire to participate in that activity again.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Advancing age is believed to reduce the symptoms and desires of sexual masochism, as it does with other paraphilic disorders, and with sexual urges generally.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Various medications can be used to decrease the level of circulating </span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/testosterone"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>testosterone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span><span><span> in the body with the aim of reducing the frequency of erections in males. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/basics/ssris" title="Psychology Today looks at Antidepressant" class="basics-link" hreflang="en-SG">Antidepressant</a> medications may also be used to reduce sex drive.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="reference__citations section--separator"> <h5>References</h5> <div class="citations"> <div class="citation citation--1"> Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition </div> <div class="citation citation--2"> Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Psychiatry </div> <div class="citation citation--3"> Treating Mental Disorders: A Guide to What Works </div> <div class="citation citation--4"> Labrecque, F., Potz, A., Larouche, M., & Joyal, C. C. (2020). What Is So Appealing About Being Spanked, Flogged, Dominated, or Restrained? Answers from Practitioners of Sexual Masochism/Submission. <em>The Journal of Sex Research</em>, <em>58</em>(4), 409–423. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1767025">https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1767025</a> </div> <div class="citation citation--5"> Wismeijer, A. A., & van Assen, M. A. (2013). Psychological Characteristics of BDSM Practitioners. <em>The Journal of Sexual Medicine</em>, <em>10</em>(8), 1943–1952. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12192">https://doi.org/10.1111/jsm.12192</a> </div> <div class="citation citation--6"> Brown, A., Barker, E. D., & Rahman, Q. (2019). A Systematic Scoping Review of the Prevalence, Etiological, Psychological, and Interpersonal Factors Associated with BDSM. <em>The Journal of Sex Research</em>, <em>57</em>(6), 781–811. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1665619">https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1665619</a> </div> <div class="citation citation--7"> <em>An Introduction to BDSM for Psychotherapists | Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy</em>. (2021). Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. <a href="https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/an-introduction-to-bdsm-for-psychotherapists/">https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/an-introduction-to-bdsm-for-psychot…</a> </div> </div> <div class="revision-current">Last updated: 09/15/2021 </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> <aside class="layout-content-left-rail--first" role="complementary"> <div> <div id="block-conditionsnavigation" class="block index-page-menu"> <article> <div class="h2 index-page-menu--title"> Diagnosis Dictionary </div> <div class="index-page-menu--image hero--image"> <img src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/index_page_navigation_image/public/2021-06/conditions-shutterstock-1696550344_0.jpg?itok=XiF2PjYS" width="519" height="198" alt="Decorative Image" loading="lazy" /> </div> <div class="index-page-menu--items"> <div class="views-element-container"><div 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href="/sg/conditions/dyscalculia" title="Dyscalculia ">Dyscalculia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dysgraphia" title="Dysgraphia ">Dysgraphia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dyslexia" title="Dyslexia ">Dyslexia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dyspraxia" title="Dyspraxia ">Dyspraxia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/encopresis" title="Encopresis ">Encopresis</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/enuresis" title="Enuresis ">Enuresis</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/intellectual-disability-intellectual-developmental-disorder" title="Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder) ">Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/language-disorder" title="Language Disorder ">Language Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/learning-disability" title="Learning Disability ">Learning Disability</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/nonverbal-learning-disorder" title="Nonverbal Learning Disorder ">Nonverbal Learning Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/pedophilia" title="Pedophilia ">Pedophilia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/provisional-tic-disorder" title="Provisional Tic Disorder ">Provisional Tic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/reactive-attachment-disorder" title="Reactive Attachment Disorder ">Reactive Attachment Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/selective-mutism" title="Selective Mutism ">Selective Mutism</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/separation-anxiety" title="Separation Anxiety ">Separation Anxiety</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/speech-sound-disorder" title="Speech Sound Disorder ">Speech Sound Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/tourettes-disorder" title="Tourette's Disorder ">Tourette's Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Communication Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/childhood-onset-fluency-disorder" title="Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder ">Childhood-Onset Fluency Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/communication-disorders" title="Communication Disorders ">Communication Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/language-disorder" title="Language Disorder ">Language Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/speech-sound-disorder" title="Speech Sound Disorder ">Speech Sound Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Depression/Mood</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/adjustment-disorder" title="Adjustment Disorder ">Adjustment Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/bereavement" title="Bereavement ">Bereavement</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/co-occurring-disorders" title="Co-Occurring Disorders ">Co-Occurring Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/depressive-disorders" title="Depressive Disorders ">Depressive Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/persistent-depressive-disorder-dysthymia" title="Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) ">Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/postpartum-disorder" title="Postpartum Disorder ">Postpartum Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/prolonged-grief-disorder" title="Prolonged Grief Disorder ">Prolonged Grief Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder" title="Seasonal Affective Disorder ">Seasonal Affective Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/visual-snow" title="Visual Snow ">Visual Snow</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Dissociation</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/depersonalizationderealization-disorder" title="Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder ">Depersonalization / Derealization Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dissociative-amnesia" title="Dissociative Amnesia ">Dissociative Amnesia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dissociative-fugue-psychogenic-fugue" title="Dissociative Fugue (Psychogenic Fugue) ">Dissociative Fugue (Psychogenic Fugue)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dissociative-identity-disorder-multiple-personality-disorder" title="Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder) ">Dissociative Identity Disorder (Multiple Personality Disorder)</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Eating Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/anorexia-nervosa" title="Anorexia Nervosa ">Anorexia Nervosa</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/arfid-avoidant-restrictive-food-intake-disorder" title="ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) ">ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/binge-eating-disorder-compulsive-overeating" title="Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating) ">Binge-Eating Disorder (Compulsive Overeating)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/bulimia-nervosa" title="Bulimia Nervosa ">Bulimia Nervosa</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/eating-disorders" title="Eating Disorders ">Eating Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/obesity" title="Obesity ">Obesity</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/pica" title="Pica ">Pica</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/rumination-disorder" title="Rumination Disorder ">Rumination Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Impulse Control Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/intermittent-explosive-disorder" title="Intermittent Explosive Disorder ">Intermittent Explosive Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/kleptomania" title="Kleptomania ">Kleptomania</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/oppositional-defiant-disorder" title="Oppositional Defiant Disorder ">Oppositional Defiant Disorder </a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/pyromania" title="Pyromania ">Pyromania</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Movement Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/developmental-coordination-disorder" title="Developmental Coordination Disorder ">Developmental Coordination Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/parkinsons-disease" title="Parkinson's Disease ">Parkinson's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/persistent-chronic-motor-or-vocal-tic-disorder" title="Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder ">Persistent (Chronic) Motor or Vocal Tic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/provisional-tic-disorder" title="Provisional Tic Disorder ">Provisional Tic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/stereotypic-movement-disorder" title="Stereotypic Movement Disorder ">Stereotypic Movement Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/tourettes-disorder" title="Tourette's Disorder ">Tourette's Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Neurocognitive Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/alzheimers-disease" title="Alzheimer's Disease ">Alzheimer's Disease</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dyscalculia" title="Dyscalculia ">Dyscalculia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dysgraphia" title="Dysgraphia ">Dysgraphia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dyslexia" title="Dyslexia ">Dyslexia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dyspraxia" title="Dyspraxia ">Dyspraxia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/frontotemporal-dementia" title="Frontotemporal Dementia ">Frontotemporal Dementia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/intellectual-disability-intellectual-developmental-disorder" title="Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder) ">Intellectual Disability (Intellectual Developmental Disorder)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/lewy-body-dementia" title="Lewy Body Dementia ">Lewy Body Dementia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/neurocognitive-disorders-mild-and-major" title="Neurocognitive Disorders (Mild and Major) ">Neurocognitive Disorders (Mild and Major)</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dermatillomania-skin-picking" title="Dermatillomania (Skin Picking) ">Dermatillomania (Skin Picking)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/hoarding-disorder" title="Hoarding Disorder ">Hoarding Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder" title="Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ">Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/onychophagia-nail-biting" title="Onychophagia (Nail Biting) ">Onychophagia (Nail Biting)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/trichotillomania-hair-pulling" title="Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling) ">Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling)</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Personality</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/antisocial-personality-disorder" title="Antisocial Personality Disorder ">Antisocial Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/avoidant-personality-disorder" title="Avoidant Personality Disorder ">Avoidant Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/borderline-personality-disorder" title="Borderline Personality Disorder ">Borderline Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/dependent-personality-disorder" title="Dependent Personality Disorder ">Dependent Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/histrionic-personality-disorder" title="Histrionic Personality Disorder ">Histrionic Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/malingering" title="Malingering ">Malingering</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder" title="Narcissistic Personality Disorder ">Narcissistic Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-personality-disorder" title="Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder ">Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/paranoid-personality-disorder" title="Paranoid Personality Disorder ">Paranoid Personality Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Psychosis/Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/brief-psychotic-disorder" title="Brief Psychotic Disorder ">Brief Psychotic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/catatonia" title="Catatonia ">Catatonia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/delusional-disorder" title="Delusional Disorder ">Delusional Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/hallucinogen-persisting-perception-disorder" title="Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) ">Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) </a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/paranoid-personality-disorder" title="Paranoid Personality Disorder ">Paranoid Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/psychotic-disorder-due-another-medical-condition" title="Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition ">Psychotic Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/schizoaffective-disorder" title="Schizoaffective Disorder ">Schizoaffective Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/schizoid-personality-disorder" title="Schizoid Personality Disorder ">Schizoid Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/schizophrenia" title="Schizophrenia ">Schizophrenia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/schizophreniform-disorder" title="Schizophreniform Disorder ">Schizophreniform Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/schizotypal-personality-disorder" title="Schizotypal Personality Disorder ">Schizotypal Personality Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/substancemedication-induced-psychotic-disorder" title="Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder ">Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title--open"><span class="title-text">Sexuality</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed accordion--content--open"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/erectile-disorder" title="Erectile Disorder ">Erectile Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/exhibitionism" title="Exhibitionism ">Exhibitionism</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/fetishistic-disorder" title="Fetishistic Disorder ">Fetishistic Disorder </a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/frotteuristic-disorder" title="Frotteuristic Disorder ">Frotteuristic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/gender-dysphoria" title="Gender Dysphoria ">Gender Dysphoria</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/genito-pelvic-pain-or-penetration-disorder-sexual-pain-disorder" title="Genito-Pelvic Pain or Penetration Disorder (Sexual Pain Disorder) ">Genito-Pelvic Pain or Penetration Disorder (Sexual Pain Disorder)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/hypersexuality-sex-addiction" title="Hypersexuality (Sex Addiction) ">Hypersexuality (Sex Addiction)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/orgasmic-disorder" title="Orgasmic Disorder ">Orgasmic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/paraphilias" title="Paraphilias ">Paraphilias</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/pedophilia" title="Pedophilia ">Pedophilia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/sexual-desire-disorder" title="Sexual Desire Disorder ">Sexual Desire Disorder</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/sg/conditions/sexual-masochism-disorder" title="Sexual Masochism Disorder ">Sexual Masochism Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/sexual-sadism-disorder" title="Sexual Sadism Disorder ">Sexual Sadism Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/transvestic-disorder" title="Transvestic Disorder ">Transvestic Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/voyeuristic-disorder" title="Voyeuristic Disorder ">Voyeuristic Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Sleep Disorders</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/circadian-rhythm-sleep-wake-disorders" title="Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders ">Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/hypersomnolence" title="Hypersomnolence ">Hypersomnolence</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/insomnia" title="Insomnia ">Insomnia</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/narcolepsy" title="Narcolepsy ">Narcolepsy</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/nightmares" title="Nightmares ">Nightmares</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/non-rapid-eye-movement-sleep-arousal-disorders" title="Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Arousal Disorders ">Non-Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Arousal Disorders</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/rapid-eye-movement-sleep-behavior-disorder" title="Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder ">Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/restless-legs-syndrome" title="Restless Legs Syndrome ">Restless Legs Syndrome</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/sleep-apnea" title="Sleep Apnea ">Sleep Apnea</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/sleep-related-hypoventilation" title="Sleep-Related Hypoventilation ">Sleep-Related Hypoventilation</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/sleepwalking" title="Sleepwalking ">Sleepwalking</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="accordion"> <div class="h2 block-title accordion--title"><span class="title-text">Somatization</span></div> <ul class="list-unstyled accordion--content accordion--content--closed"> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/conversion-disorder" title="Conversion Disorder ">Conversion Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/factitious-disorder-munchausen-syndrome" title="Factitious Disorder (Munchausen Syndrome) ">Factitious Disorder (Munchausen Syndrome)</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/illness-anxiety-disorder" title="Illness Anxiety Disorder ">Illness Anxiety Disorder</a></li> <li><a href="/sg/conditions/somatic-symptom-disorder" title="Somatic Symptom Disorder ">Somatic Symptom Disorder</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x250 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-adblock-8"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1391201642419-0'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-resourcesblock-3" class="block"> <article data-history-node-id="15641" role="article" class="resources block-border"> <div class="resources--header"> <div class="h2 resources--title"> Sexual Masochism Disorder Resources </div> </div> <div class="resources--section resources--section--get-help"> <div class="h3"> <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy" title=""> Get Help </a> </div> <p class="resources--cta">Find an expert on paraphilias.</p> <div class="country country--resources-search"> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy" method="GET" class="find-therapist--resources-form" target="_top"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Postcode" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&attributes[0]=17&country-code=sg" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy&search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" 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href="/sg/conditions/paraphilias" title="Diagnosis: Paraphilias">Paraphilias</a> </li> <li class="list-style-none--item"> <a href="/sg/conditions/sexual-sadism-disorder" title="Diagnosis: Sexual Sadism Disorder">Sexual Sadism Disorder</a> </li> </ul> </div> </article> </div> <div class="pt-ad pt-ad--300x600 d-none d-lg-block d-xl-block block" id="block-adblock-9"> <div class="pt-ad--container pt-ad-show-text"> <div class="pt-ad--text"> <span>advertisement</span> </div> <div id="div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9" class="pt-ad--content"> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.googletag && googletag.apiReady) { googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1404853927369-9'); }); } </script> </div> </div> </div> <div id="block-findatherapistreferenceblock-3" class="block"> <div class="country find-therapist"> <div class="find-therapist--main"> <div class="h2 find-therapist--title"><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy" title="Find Sex Therapy Counselling">Find Sex Therapy Counselling</a></div> <p class="find-therapist--copy"> Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. </p> <form action="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy" method="GET" class="find-therapist--form"> <div class="container-fat__callout_form" data-search-suggest="sussex" data-placeholder="City or Postcode" data-size="medium" data-section-icons="false" data-mobile-fullscreen="true" data-suggestions-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/search/suggestions?query={query}&attributes[0]=17&country-code=sg" data-search-url="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling?category=sex-therapy&search={query}" data-input-aria-label="Search input text" data-button-aria-label="Search button"> <div class="search td-search d-flex"> <div class="td-search--input"> <div class="search-field-container"> <label for="find_therapist_search" class="d-none"> City or Postcode </label> <input 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Counselling in Bedok" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bedok</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling/sg/singapore/bukit-merah?category=sex-therapy" title="Find Sex Therapy Counselling in Bukit Merah" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Bukit Merah</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling/sg/singapore/choa-chu-kang?category=sex-therapy" title="Find Sex Therapy Counselling in Choa Chu Kang" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" class="td-city-link">Choa Chu Kang</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/counselling/sg/singapore/downtown-core?category=sex-therapy" title="Find Sex Therapy Counselling in Downtown Core" data-event-label="PT_City" data-event-category="OutboundLink" data-event-action="Click" 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