In which disorder is arousal from another's suffering?

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Multiple Choice

In which disorder is arousal from another's suffering?

Sexual arousal from the suffering or humiliation of another person is the defining feature of Sexual Sadism Disorder. In this condition, a person experiences recurrent and intense sexual arousal from acts that involve the physical or psychological suffering of a non-consenting partner, expressed through fantasies, urges, or behaviors. For it to be considered a disorder, these arousing patterns must cause clinically significant distress or impairment, or the person has acted on the urges with a non-consenting individual, and the pattern persists for at least six months. This emphasis on arousal linked to another’s suffering distinguishes it from other possibilities. By contrast, arousal from one’s own pain or humiliation characterizes Sexual Masochism Disorder, which is the opposite focus. Hypersexuality is not an official DSM-5 disorder in the same sense and generally refers to excessive or problematic sexual thoughts or behaviors without the specific element of arousal from another’s suffering. Substance Use Disorders involve problematic use of substances and are not about sexual arousal.

Sexual arousal from the suffering or humiliation of another person is the defining feature of Sexual Sadism Disorder. In this condition, a person experiences recurrent and intense sexual arousal from acts that involve the physical or psychological suffering of a non-consenting partner, expressed through fantasies, urges, or behaviors. For it to be considered a disorder, these arousing patterns must cause clinically significant distress or impairment, or the person has acted on the urges with a non-consenting individual, and the pattern persists for at least six months. This emphasis on arousal linked to another’s suffering distinguishes it from other possibilities.

By contrast, arousal from one’s own pain or humiliation characterizes Sexual Masochism Disorder, which is the opposite focus. Hypersexuality is not an official DSM-5 disorder in the same sense and generally refers to excessive or problematic sexual thoughts or behaviors without the specific element of arousal from another’s suffering. Substance Use Disorders involve problematic use of substances and are not about sexual arousal.

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