The Joy of Torment

A search for answers on the subject of sadomasochism: its origins, forms and functions, nature, and societal status. An international group of distinguished psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychoanalysts investigate the riddle of sadomasochism from heuristic, ontogenetic, nosological, psychodynamic, sociocultural, and therapeutic

A search for answers on the subject of sadomasochism: its origins, forms and functions, nature, and societal status. An international group of distinguished psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychoanalysts investigate the riddle of sadomasochism from heuristic, ontogenetic, nosological, psychodynamic, sociocultural, and therapeutic perspectives. With contributions from Prachi Akhavi, Salman Akhtar, Ruth Axelrod-Praes, Lisa Crilley, Victoria Curea, Tom DeRose, Nilofer Kaul, Otto Kernberg, Arsalan Malik, Jack Novick, Kerry Kelly Novick, Philip A. Ringstrom, Louis Rothschild, Asmita Sharma, and Benny Weiss-Steider.

Acknowledgments About the editor and contributors Introduction PART I: CONCEPTUAL ASPECTS 1. Freud's changing views on sadomasochism Tom DeRose 2. Freudian sadomasochism and its contemporary incarnations Louis Rothschild 3. Masochism and the delusion of omnipotence from a developmental perspective Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick PART II: CULTURAL ASPECTS 4. Misogyny, sadomasochism, and pornography Asmita Sharma and Prachi Akhavi 5. The strategic confluence of altruism and sadomasochism in martyrdom Arsalan Malik 6. Society, sadism, and a satirical take on the family Victoria Curea PART III: CLINICAL ASPECTS 7. Childhood grievance, defensive idealization, and sadomasochistic failure of mourning Lisa Crilley 8. Sadomasochism in couples psychotherapy Philip A. Ringstrom 9. Sadomasochism, sexual excitement, and perversions Otto Kernberg 10. On cruelty Salman Akhtar 11. Analytic struggles and sadistic maneuvers Nilofer Kaul 12. E-sadomasochism and clinical psychoanalysis Ruth Axelrod-Praes and Benny Weiss-Steider References Index,

Acknowledgments
About the editor and contributors
Introduction

PART I: CONCEPTUAL ASPECTS
1. Freud’s changing views on sadomasochism
Tom DeRose
2. Freudian sadomasochism and its contemporary incarnations
Louis Rothschild
3. Masochism and the delusion of omnipotence from a developmental perspective
Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick

PART II: CULTURAL ASPECTS
4. Misogyny, sadomasochism, and pornography
Asmita Sharma and Prachi Akhavi
5. The strategic confluence of altruism and sadomasochism in martyrdom
Arsalan Malik
6. Society, sadism, and a satirical take on the family
Victoria Curea

PART III: CLINICAL ASPECTS
7. Childhood grievance, defensive idealization, and sadomasochistic failure of mourning
Lisa Crilley
8. Sadomasochism in couples psychotherapy
Philip A. Ringstrom
9. Sadomasochism, sexual excitement, and perversions
Otto Kernberg
10. On cruelty
Salman Akhtar
11. Analytic struggles and sadistic maneuvers
Nilofer Kaul
12. E-sadomasochism and clinical psychoanalysis
Ruth Axelrod-Praes and Benny Weiss-Steider

References
Index

• Edited by Salman Akhtar
• Edited by Lisa Crilley

‘This is an exceptional and rare book. The “cursed problem of masochism”, as Ferenczi put it in 1931, has never received such broad-ranging and deep attention from a group of distinguished psychoanalysts. This compendium is not only a thorough summation of the issues involved in sadomasochism but also a fascinating stroll through the works of Freud and his successors right up to the present day.’

— Marilia Aisenstein, Training and Supervising Analyst, Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society and Paris Psychoanalytic Society, Author of Desire, Pain, and Thought

‘In this book, an international group of experienced clinicians examine sadomasochism from multiple viewpoints. They address topics as diverse as sadistic enactments and pornography, e-sadomasochism and martyrdom, and sadomasochistic sexual excitement and human cruelty. The result is a fascinating book replete with fresh insights of theoretical importance and clinical value.’

— Fakhry Davids, MD, Training and Supervising Analyst, British Psychoanalytical Society, Author of Internal Racism

‘This groundbreaking collection offers a comprehensive exploration of sadomasochism, humiliation, omnipotence, and cruelty from developmental, clinical, and social perspectives, including perverse forms of virtual sexuality in the internet age. With compelling case studies and incisive theoretical formulations, the book provides a profound understanding of human frailty, approaching challenging subjects with a resolutely ethical and non-judgmental stance. Reading this book is enriching and essential for anyone seeking to understand the depths of human aggression and destructiveness in physical, mental and sociocultural domains.’

— Michael Shoshani, PsyD, MBA, Training and Supervising Analyst, Tel Aviv Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Author of Timeless Grandiosity and Eroticized Contempt