Oryx and I were discussing the psychology behind people choosing BDSM practices. She believes I have Sensory Processing Disorder. While she's not a doctor, her oldest son was diagnosed with it when he was a toddler. She says I have consistent symptoms. I like to touch things. Things that look like they'd feel "neat" or "feely". I have an aversion to foods with a certain texture. And it hurts my ears to ride in a car with the windows down. Specifically when the pressure in the car is off and the wind sounds like helicopter blades. If she's correct, she thinks that's why I have a high pain tolerance. People with SPD often have an aversion to typically benign touches, like tickling. In turn, they often have a high tolerance for things that would be painful to nuerotypical people. That lead me to do some research on masochism. How the pleasure parts of their brain light up at pain stimuli and their tolerance in general is much higher compared to non-masocistic folks.
Then I learned there is some correlating data between those with PTSD and BDSM. Also, cancer survivors and BDSM. And the science and psychology behind it is fascinating.
I've been told by many that practicing BDSM is a cathartic experience. It is for me, too. It relieved stress. Can ease anxiety. It can sometimes involve a much deeper level of trust and intimacy. For these reasons some people gravitate towards it as a release and break from everyday life. For some, that's all it may be. For no other reason than they like the feeling of being free. They enjoy the cathartic experience of letting go completely. And that's it.
I am not interested in anyone's background story who doesn't want to tell it. Or anything that may drum up feelings of anxiety or panic. I would, however, like for those who are comfortable to identify whether they fall into one of these categories. You can comment on this blog or send me a bond. Or pretend you never read it. Again, I do not want to pry. And I don't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. I think we, as a community, are a very complex group. So, if you so choose, please reply or bond with the number that corresponds with what you feel may be a "why" behind your BDSM preferences.
1. Purely cathartic. An escape. Or just sexually arousing.
2. Mental disorder. Ie- ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorder, other (list if you like)
3. Mental Illness. Ie- PTSD, anxiety, depression, Traumatic Brain Injury, other (list if you like)
4. Serious injury survivor. Ie- paralysis, amputation, other (list if you like)
5. Life Threatening Illness. Ie- cancer, viral or bacterial infection, other (list if you like)
Again, I am purely intrigued by the inner workings of why we belong to this community. If you are in anyway uncomfortable or upset, please don't hesitate to let me know. And don't provide an answer, reply or bond or otherwise, if you don't want to.
If there's enough interest and enough replies, I'll post my findings while keeping the anonymity of those who have replied privately. I appreciate all of you for being who you are immensely.
