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Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 5:01:14 AM

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From: Tamaris
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Can BDSM be used as an effective therapy for working out life issues ?

Does anyone know if 'doing things' that could come under the umbrella term of BDSM is recommended by any professionals ?

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 5:20:50 AM

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Rituals are a big thing for some therapists, having regular patterns etc they can help with various problems like stress and anxiety.

I am sure that some people use BDSM as therapy but it totally depends on the individual. Anything used as a crutch in my view is a bad thing, if it vanishes (ie break up of a relationship whats left) im not sure BDSM activities can actually solve a problem.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 5:38:12 AM

RCdc

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Now... am I following A around, or colouredinone?
I do believe that BDSM activities can be used alongside theraputic appointments with the caveat that you need to know what you are doing when you use them. So stating the obvious, if the person is crap who is working with you, it could set you back. BDSM activities aren't monitored or under any strict 'control' so it would be entirely down to the people involved.

But then, it's a chicken and egg thing. Hypnosis for example can be defined as either a theraphy or a BDSM play. Which one came first though?

the.dark.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 5:56:51 AM

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From: Tamaris
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If someone were to engage in practices that come under the banner of BDSM,as a form of self induced therapy, or even just to experience as a box ticking exercise, then it would help if there was a therapist who was interested in working over the issues post activity., As activities such as BDSM activities can release the very core of a person and issues that have sat just under the surface of the consciousness might be brought to the fore. Thus making therapy more effective.

I personally don't think talk therapy works on it's own, except in a way that it strengthens resolve to follow one's own heart. Medications serve mostly to dull the blows of life but everyone is different I guess.

The scary point about medications is that when they have been used to such an extent that the real personality becomes lost, the norm is on the medication, not the other way. Abstaining from the medications, even if correctly tapered off and clear, the feeling is a part of one is missing, perhaps the complete reverse of the initial complaint. Medications should be a short term crutch, it to be used in conjunction with talk therapy and behavioural therapy, not prescribe and forget.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 5:59:57 AM

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It really does depend on the purpose of the therapy though what the issues are. I agree that talk therapy shouldnt be it and I also think an important aspect of therapy is actually changing your current pattern, stepping out of your comfort zone and all that. However for some indulging in BDSM may just add another list of problems to deal with.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 6:03:41 AM

RCdc

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But you have to define the activities you are thinking about.
I don't believe that a therapist that is kink aware as it were would be good as an automatic cathartic session. I would see a huge risk here, for all the people involved. Laws don't allow it for one, so you would have to have a big change there first. Plus you are looking at abuse claims and the risk of dependancy. It's far too risky. Using theraphy with established couples would be far more appropriate. But for a single person? You run into issues.

the.dark.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 6:43:07 AM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin
then it would help if there was a therapist who was interested in working over the issues post activity., As activities such as BDSM activities can release the very core of a person and issues that have sat just under the surface of the consciousness might be brought to the fore. Thus making therapy more effective.

I know exactly what you mean about post-activity discussions. I've been in relationships where these weren't welcomed/needed by the other party, I've learned that I need to discuss everything with my partner so that I kind of clear my head, come to terms with whatever weird/wild emotions were possibly at play and just settle myself down. Sometimes issues come from play that need to be dealt with. But I wouldn't do it with a therapist, for mainly the reasons that .dark has outlined. And I can't think of any issues that can be *solved* with a BDSM activity.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 6:49:08 AM

T1981

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I think BDSM can be used as a form of accidental therapy, if that makes sense. I know in my own life, BDSM has allowed me to move through several deep trust and control issues that I have had, but it's not that we go into any play time expecting to move past any particular issues, as Mc1234 has said.

I did once read an article about a gal who had used BDSM to recreate her own childhood abuse issues to move through them, and she had very positive experiences with it. I, on the other hand, would never be comfortable with that. The theraputic aspects of BDSM, for me, come from being able to experience healthy trust and submission through positive submission and honest, willing feedback as an adult.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 6:51:33 AM

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See I was thinking it could help with trust issues, but what if you have a bad experiance it could set you back and make you hide away even more than before. I dunno its so risky, what may work for one may not work for another and who is to know which side you fall on.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 7:53:58 AM

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The problem i see with using bdsm activities as therapy is that there is no dispassionate, unbiased person involved. Everyone involved in the bdsm activities has an intrinsic interest in being there and having them continue so you have no-one monitoring the situation for emotional disonance. Could get dangerous for the participants if something started going "off", and everyone was so wrapped up in what was going on to recognise it, and ammend it or stop the action.

Having said that, i have had emotional reactions and releases from bdsm activities, but they weren't planned - purely spontaneous.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/7/2009 11:03:00 PM

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Aneirin

I personally don't think talk therapy works on it's own, except in a way that it strengthens resolve to follow one's own heart. Medications serve mostly to dull the blows of life but everyone is different I guess.

The scary point about medications is that when they have been used to such an extent that the real personality becomes lost, the norm is on the medication, not the other way. Abstaining from the medications, even if correctly tapered off and clear, the feeling is a part of one is missing, perhaps the complete reverse of the initial complaint. Medications should be a short term crutch, it to be used in conjunction with talk therapy and behavioural therapy, not prescribe and forget.

Actually the new medications reverse the chemical imbalance in the brain. Chemical analysis of brain cells has demonstrated that people with biologic disorders generate huge amounts of the neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood. The problem is that their brains consume these in even higher quantity causing a deficiency. The drugs bond to the reuptake enzymes and restore the proper balance of serotonin or norepinephrine. They don't, however, create an overabundance because in a brain with proper balance. So taking them without an imbalance just results in the occurrence of side effects with no real psychological effect. Consequently it is safe to prescribe them to anyone with a mood imbalance. They don't "dull the blows" but rather fill in the deficiency in the brain.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/9/2009 10:42:18 PM

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I have bipolar and I love getting floggings and spankings as therapy to make myself feel better. The meds can only do so much and BDSM fills in the gaps. I am also interested in knifeplay because of the chemical rushes involve in getting cut, similiar to what a cutter feels (I feel like I am more alive).

These days I have to test my blood glucose because I am a borderline diabetic, so the lancets gives that momentarily rush of pain then I feel better.

Alexis is scared that I might develop an infection but I know how to take care of myself (nursing background in the family). I just need the funds to maintain a first rate first-aid kit.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/11/2009 8:26:26 AM

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well, back in the days, doctors not only prescribed, but induced, forced multiple orgasms in women who suffered from hysteria and it worked, so you tell me if it fits under your bdsm as therapy balloon.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/13/2009 7:54:14 AM

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I saw my tharapist last week. She made the observation that I was more well adjusted when I was playing on a regular basis. Her thoughts are that when I play, my body releases endorphins making me happy, and more willing to see the "upside" of things. I totally agree with her.
There have also been studies done of psychichatrists using flogging as a form of counceling. *Shrugs* It works for me.
Now I'm just waiting for my therapist to write me a prescription for a weekly beating...lol.

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RE: Therapy ? - 1/13/2009 8:55:00 AM

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People self medicate by using BDSM. Usually without knowing it. Sometimes it helps and others it doesn't.

Will a psychiatrist recommend BDSM to help? I don't believe they would for reasons already been pointed out.

Although I don't know of any who wouldn't listen to a person regardless.

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RE: Therapy ? - 2/19/2009 8:50:28 AM

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Sorry to resurrect an old thread...
This was just the topic that I wanted to post on.

I do indeed believe that BDSM can be therapeutic!

For one thing, it is a good stress reliever. But there could be other applications for it.
I occasionally get in a super foul mood.

Once I'm in a mood like that, I can't shake it for days. I get destructive and isolate myself. Sometimes my relationships don't survive after a bad episode.

So out of desperation for relief, last night I had my switch beat the tar out of me. He slapped me, pulled my hair, encased my head in latex, half-suspended my body in imbalanced uncomfortable positions. He showed me no love and no mercy. He threw cold water on me and flogged me for about an hour total.

The whole scene lasted about two hours. Around halfway I felt the pressure release. I wasn't happy but I wasn't angry anymore. I just wanted a cuddle. When we finished and he and I curled up on the mattress on the concrete floor I felt better... I was beginning to feel happy again. Several hours later I was back to my giggly antics. I won't say that this method should always be employed. But I'm happy we found a method that works.

Now I pose a new question in regards to this.... if you have a submissive that is using BDSM to resolve (or increase) issues such as self-loathing, shame, or what have you... how does it make you feel? is there a "line" where you feel it's too much or too far?

< Message edited by SmokingGoddess -- 2/19/2009 8:56:46 AM >

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RE: Therapy ? - 2/24/2009 3:38:34 PM

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Not wanting to cross post, my answer pretty much explains my chemical imbalance which is a physical thing. But its in the SSRI thread in this forum

While its okay to talk to a therapist, it never hit the core problems of my past, I cuold talk but thats all it was, they could not recondition me to let it go.

Cag in that other post I did mention covering those two chemical imbalances, but another which mos Dr's dont address is the need for dopamine. I suffer from lack of all three. I dont have enough. While Drs would try different medications or mix of medications one was always left out.
I do not see depression on my part as so much a mental thing as a physical thing, while at the same time past things do affect it which talking about never solved problems

Because of all of the above I built huge walls and isolated myself, which while I felt safe and not able to affect others, I jsut delt with it because I got used to the imbalance.

I have tapered off medications and it just worsened the imbalance.

Of late I have discoverd by open a whole in the safe walled in space, and took a chance to get away from that safe place to meet more people than I could ever imagine without totally freaking out. By doing that with the help of Blackphx and poenkitten who were totally aware of my condition, broke down walls, and by the enjoyment of pain pushed the dopamine tothe right level.

This now is my therapy along with necessary medications

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RE: Therapy ? - 2/25/2009 10:46:39 AM

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Yes, its a form of therapy in Australia and in Russia.

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RE: Therapy ? - 2/25/2009 11:32:23 AM

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Therapeutic, under the right conditions, sure. Immensely damaging, under other consitions, sure.
Definitely one of those high-risk crap-shoots, the potential in which I am personally a believer while as a clinician, I would urge extreme caution.
Davan

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