BDSM

This chapter describes the meanings and object relations in the sensory emotional experience of BDSM. This chapter distinguishes bondage and domination from sadomasochism. While the four are on a continuum of love and pain, the first two, bondage and domination, have to do with control and ownership in a willing person who voluntarily yields their sexual agency to the dominator because this is sexual exciting. The second two, sadism and masochism, have to do with aggression and the enjoyment of inflicting physical or emotional pain, to the point and past, of the willing. The difference between inhibited love and sadistic aggression is described. The difference between the goal of ownership for love possession versus ownership for inflicting pain is differentiated. The sexual from the nonsexual forms are distinguished. The malignant forms of sadomasochism are described. The underlying attachment dynamics of insecurity and defenses of narcissistic aggrandizement are shown. There are many case examples.