Masochism is often mentioned in connection with sexual practices centered around gratification and the pleasure of pain. A person is considered a masochist if they experience sexual pleasure or satisfaction when another person inflicts pain or performs humiliating acts on them. Masochism isn't always purely sexual in nature. Some people derive pleasure from degrading conversations.
If it's a pre-arranged scenario, the other person may also experience pleasure through sadism, i.e., the infliction of pain or emotional degradation—though this isn't a requirement. The combination of these two practices is called sadomasochism. In self-masochism, individuals injure or humiliate themselves without involving others.
Why do people become masochists?
The reasons why people enjoy being humiliated or punished can be varied. Over time, certain fantasies can develop, initially arousing during masturbation, which can later manifest as masochistic preferences when acted out with a partner. From a psychological perspective, anxieties and defense mechanisms may also underlie these fantasies, often stemming from childhood trauma or depression.
What does a masochist like?
Masochists may enjoy being hit, restrained, whipped, or simply humiliated through words and actions. Some find pleasure in licking the sole of a shoe, while others enjoy being insulted or locked up for a certain period. There are virtually no limits to these fantasies, and some masochists inflict pain on themselves or degrade themselves in everyday life by speaking negatively about themselves and displaying excessive guilt.
Is masochism a sexual disorder?
If masochism is not perceived as a burden in everyday life, it is not considered a sexual disorder. It is then a sexual preference that is acted out alone or with a partner within previously agreed-upon boundaries. In the BDSM community, this is referred to as "safe, sane, and consensual actions." However, anyone suffering from masochistic thoughts should seek psychological support.
