Sadistic personality disorder was never formally admitted into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM); nevertheless, some researchers and theorists continue to use its criteria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, is the handbook used most often in diagnosing mental disorders in the United States and internationally. ...

DSM research criteria

Sadistic personality disorder is 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:

• Has used physical cruelty or violence for the purpose of establishing dominance in a relationship (not merely to achieve some noninterpersonal goal, such as striking someone in order to rob him or her)
• Humiliates or demeans people in the presence of others
• Has treated or disciplined someone under his or her control unusually harshly, e.g., a child, student, prisoner, or patient
• 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 her or 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 or permit teen-age daughter to attend social functions
• Is fascinated by violence, weapons, martial arts, injury, or torture

The behavior 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).

See also

• Antisocial personality disorder
• Psychopathy
• Sadism and masochism
• Sexual sadism (psychiatry)

It has been suggested that Psychopathy be merged into this article or section. ... Psychopathy is defined in psychiatry as a personality disorder with traits like exploitation, rationalization of suffering inflicted, rash behavior, arrogance, and manipulation. ... Flogging demonstration at Folsom Street Fair 2004. ...

External links

• Psychological Profile of Washington, D.C.-Area Sniper provides some excellent theoretical descriptions of the sadistic personality.
• PTypes - Sadistic Personality Disorder