Sadistic Personality Disorder Information
Sadistic personality disorder is a diagnosis which appeared only in an appendix of the revised third edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R).[1] The current version of the DSM (DSM-IV) does not include it, so it is no longer considered a valid diagnostic category. The diagnosis Personality disorder not otherwise specified may be used instead. However, the disorder is still studied for research purposes.[2]
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Causes (etiology)
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Sadism is a very common behavioral disorder characterized by a callous, vicious, manipulative, and degrading behavior expressed towards other people. To date, the exact cause of sadism is not known clearly. However, many theories have been given to explain the possible reasons underlying the development of a sadistic personality in an individual.
Most of these theories commonly point out the fact that sadism is mainly dependant on the upbringing of an individual. Although biological and environmental aspects are also known to contribute to the development of this behavioral disorder, less evidence is available about hereditary patterns or genetic causes.
Following are some of the reasons why a person suffering from sadism yields to the regular practice of masochism and sadism and also finds it pleasurable:
In case of some patients, assuming the role of acquiescence or defenselessness is a means of therapeutic escape from life’s accountabilities, stress, or feeling of guilt. Some sadists give in to such a behavior to take on a dominant role and get contentment outrageously by observing the masochist suffer. However, what eventually links these arousing incidents with sexual satisfaction, and how that link is established is not known clearly. Unfavorable experiences during childhood or in early stages of sexual development are believed to be one of the major contributing factors in the development of a sadistic personality in an individual. It has also been observed that sadism or a sadistic personality can also get developed in an individual through conditioning. For instance, continual connection of a particular stimulus with sexual enjoyment or of happiness with the anguish of others can cause sadism or sadomasochism.
There appears to be a crown to the disorder.[3]
Diagnosis
Proposed DSM III-R criteria
Sadistic personality disorder is:
- A) A pervasive pattern of cruel, demeaning, and aggressive behavior, beginning by early adulthood, as indicated by the repeated occurrence of at least four of the following:
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- Has used physical cruelty or violence for the purpose of establishing dominance in a relationship (not merely to achieve some non-interpersonal goal, such as striking someone in order to rob him/her).
- Humiliates or demeans people in the presence of others.
- Has treated or disciplined someone under his/her control unusually harshly.
- Is amused by, or takes pleasure in, the psychological or physical suffering of others (including animals).
- Has lied for the purpose of harming or inflicting pain on others (not merely to achieve some other goal).
- Gets other people to do what he/she wants by frightening them (through intimidation or even terror).
- Restricts the autonomy of people with whom he or she has a close relationship, e.g., will not let spouse leave the house unaccompanied.
- Is fascinated by violence, weapons, injury, or torture.
- B) The behavior in A has not been directed toward only one person (e.g., spouse, one child) and has not been solely for the purpose of sexual arousal (as in sexual sadism).
Exclusion from DSM-IV
This disorder was dropped from DSM-IV for two reasons:[4]
- because of scientific concerns, such as the relatively low prevalence rate of the disorder in many settings
- for political reasons - sadistic personalities are most often male and it was felt that any such diagnosis might have the paradoxical effect of legally excusing cruel behaviour.
Sexual sadism that "causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning" is still in DSM-IV.
Millon's subtypes
Theodore Millon identified four subtypes of sadist. [4][5] Any individual sadist may exhibit none, one or more of the following:
- explosive sadist - including borderline features
- tyrannical sadist - including negativistic (passive-aggressive) features
- enforcing sadist - including compulsive features
- spineless sadist - including avoidant features.
See also
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Evil Genes
- Malignant narcissism
- Sadism and masochism
- Sadism and masochism as medical terms
- Self-defeating personality disorder (Masochistic personality disorder)
- Psychopathy
- Zoosadism
References
- ^ Hucker, Stephen J. Sadistic Personality Disorder
- ^ W.C. Myers, R.C. Burket & D.S. Husted. "Sadistic personality disorder and comorbid mental illness in adolescent psychiatric inpatients", Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law 34 (2006): 61-71.
- ^ W. John Livesley, “Behavioral and Molecular Genetic Contributions to a Dimensional Classification of Personality Disorder,” Journal of Personality Disorders 19, no. 2 (2005): 131–55.
- ^ a b Millon, Theodore, Personality Disorders in Modern Life, 2004
- ^ Millon, Theodore - Personality Subtypes
External links
- Psychological Profile of Washington, D.C.-Area Sniper provides some excellent theoretical descriptions of the sadistic personality.
- PTypes - Sadistic Personality Disorder
- - Institute for Advanced Studies in Personality & Psychology Trait details & visual reference
- Barbara Oakley's book site, ISBN 159102580X ISBN 978-1591025801
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