After Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James became a bestseller, people have been talking a lot about BDSM. When you open your Facebook one day, you see a growing discussion on your wall started by a strict Christian friend who quotes The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to prove that BDSM is a pathology. You decide to reply, saying, "Actually, the latest, Fifth Edition from 2013 defines sadism and masochism as pathology only when they are accompanied by ________."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) classifies sadism and masochism as pathological only when they cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. This means that the practices are not considered inherently pathological unless they lead to distress and dysfunction for the individual.