受虐狂；（尤指）性受虐狂

受虐狂；（尤指）性受虐狂

Pathological is an adjective as defined by American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, meaning:

1. Of or relating to pathology.
2. Relating to or caused by disease.
3. Of, relating to, or manifesting behavior that is habitual, maladaptive, and compulsive.

Therefore, a pathological person is someone who has a behavior, typically caused by or related to a disease, that causes habits, adaptations, and compulsive issues. Are sadism and masochism pathological disorders?

“Until recently, homosexuality was considered to be a mental disorder, just as sexual masochism and sexual sadism, the clinical entities that encompass BDSM behaviors, are considered to be mental disorders…” (Lawrence & Love-Crowell, 2008)

But, does this mean that just as attitudes and society have begun to change in regard to homosexuality, they may change in regard to alternative sexual variations?