Posted by Scott L. Schofield on March 17, 2000, at 17:21:43
In reply to Unorthodox shock therapy?, posted by Pollyanna on March 15, 2000, at 15:24:07
> > > I feel isolated in this problem. Emotionally and sexually, I like being slapped by men.
> >
> >
> > James here.....
> >
> > Was there any abuse of any kind in your life ?
>
> Hi James, There was very little physical abuse in my childhood. There was a great deal of emotional abuse, rejection, humiliation, psychological abandonment. My father had inappropriate sexual attitudes toward us girls, but there was no physical molestation that I remember. There was a great deal of tension in the family. Sometimes I think about that in regard to my desires now, and I connect being slapped to resolving tension. That's my background. Thanks for asking. Any more input is most welcome.----------------------------------
Dear Pollyanna,
How are you?It strikes me that your need to be slapped may be similar to the compulsion some people have to cut themselves - "cutting". I know so little about it, I hardly feel that it's my place to comment on it here. There are probably some people on this board who know about cutting first hand. Hopefully, they will see this thread and post something helpful.
I've heard from some people that the pain experienced while cutting serves as a release of the tension and pain they suffer from depression (or other psychiatric disorder). I don't think it "helps" by merely producing a distraction, although this may be important. I recall someone offering the idea that the relief provided by cutting is the result of the body's (brain's) reaction to the pain. One series of reactions could be considered part of the "fight or flight" response. Adrenaline is released from the adrenal glands and the nervous system becomes "excited", thereby increasing heart-rate, blood pressure, and alertness. I guess this "rush" can act as a distraction from, or a mask of, mental pain. In addition, morphine-like chemicals are released in the brain. These are known as the endorphins and enkephalins. They are essentially opium. They produce euphoria and act to numb pain. They feel good.
I think someone used the band-aid analogy. The slapping may provide temporary relief from any psychic pain you may suffer, but it doesn't come close to treating the underlying problem(s). Slapping should in no way be considered a type of shock-therapy. It does not target the causes of depression, anxiety, or any other mental illness you might possibly have. You may consider your need for slapping to be a red-flag, indicating that you should seek a psychiatric evaluation.
Perhaps there is nothing that needs to be treated.
I hope things turn out well for you.
Sincerely,
Scott
poster:Scott L. Schofield
thread:27130
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000312/msgs/27372.html