Anonymous Questionnaire

[BrightlyGo]

Questionnaire Time:

1) What is your opinion on psychology and/or mental illness in general?

I think mental 'illness' is over-diagnosed. A lot of what people call illness is just difference, and some of the rest is self-indulgent BS. Some of it's real, of course. Psychology has gotten too 'pop' and strayed pretty far from 'real science.' Sorry.

2) How do you identify within your community, if you identify at all?

I'm not very active in the BDSM community, but I'm a heterosexual submissive male. And, quite monogomous. Really, if I weren't owned by a woman who insisted on monogamy, I'd be bi. As at is, I'm flattered and happy that she wants me all to herself.

3) 'Sane, Safe, Consensual' is something oft seen on even the most basic search of BDSM online. How do you feel mental illness ties into this?

Has nothing to do with it. 'Sane' just means 'not stupid,' rather than 'not mentally ill.' You could do some really stupid things with ropes and whips. Safe, likewise. Consenusal - well, it's necessary in our society that sexuality be all neat and consensual.

4) The DSM-IV includes sexual masochism in its current list of mental illnesses (describing it as: "The disorder is characterized by either intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors in which the individual is humiliated, beaten, bound, or made to suffer in some way.") How do you feel this relates to and/or affects the BDSM community?

Sounds strange as a disorder. Homesexuality used to be a disorder. I'm guessing the psych community will politically-correct it's way over to seeing masochism as a human right, too, eventually.

5) Any additional comments:

You might want to re-think this questionaire. More, and more specific, questions would be more effective at gathering useable data.

 

[tweetyb76]

Questionnaire Time:

1) What is your opinion on psychology and/or mental illness in general?

2) How do you identify within your community, if you identify at all?

3) 'Sane, Safe, Consensual' is something oft seen on even the most basic search of BDSM online. How do you feel mental illness ties into this?

4) The DSM-IV includes sexual masochism in its current list of mental illnesses (describing it as: "The disorder is characterized by either intense sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviors in which the individual is humiliated, beaten, bound, or made to suffer in some way.") How do you feel this relates to and/or affects the BDSM community?

5) Any additional comments:


My answers...
1. There is a need for psychology and a purpose of getting help with a REAL mental illness. However, since what is defined at different times as a mental illness is a tricky subject. Throughout history things have been defined as a mental illness only to be found later on not to be a true mental illness.
2. I identify as a bisexual poly-amorous slave in a triad
3. I agree with the consensual and safe part of the statement. Sane however is again referred back to my answer for question 1. Many people would not consider liking pain something a sane person would do. That there are people that seek out and enjoy it or are the people who seek out and enjoy giving the pain would not be something many would believe is an act of a sane person
4. Since I work with truly mentally ill people I do not think that myself or those I know who practice BDSM are in that group. My practices for pleasure do not affect my normal everyday standard of life. Unlike most people with a mental illness with whom their standard of life is impaired by their illness. I also believe this is a choice in lifestyle which is not the case in most mentally ill people can not say of their illness. I believe that the DSM-IV should be does not take in account of the consent and safe part in this. There are those who go too far and harm or do said acts to a person against their will. Those are people who are mentally ill. Calling me mentally ill is like saying everyone who has ever had a drink an alcoholic. Although they have a better definition of this term now I think the same has to be done for the definition of what level of an act like sexual masochism.
5. I will ask my Master to comment on this questionaire but since he does not have an account you may get another reply from me but it will be marked as done by him if he decides to do it.