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The Sadistic personality disorder was included in the DSM III-TR but removed from the DSM IV and from its text revision, the DSM IV-TR. This was criticized by some scholars, notably Theodore Millon.
The Sadistic Personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of cruelty, aggression, and demeaning behavior. The sadist holds everyone in contempt and lacks empathy. Sadists use violence to dominate others within their interpersonal relationships: family, "friendships", or the workplace.
Like narcissists, sadists strive to humiliate people in front of witnesses who serve as an audience and amplify the sadist's sense of omnipotence. Sadists often engage in power plays. They mistreat and harshly "discipline" people under their control or entrusted to their care: a subordinate, a child, a student, a prisoner, a patient, or a spouse. Sadists are "control freaks".
Sadists find suffering, both physical and psychological, amusing. They torture animals and people and derive fun and pleasure from these activities. Sadists lie, deceive, commit crimes, and even make personal sacrifices in order to hurt and humiliate others.
Sadists terrorize and intimidate even their nearest and dearest and create an atmosphere of dread and consternation. They dictate the rules, often change them capriciously, but insist on having the final word and on being obeyed. These unannounced shifts serve to restrict the autonomy of their dependants (spouses, children, employees, patients, clients, etc.).
Most sadists are fascinated by gore and violence. They "study" and admire historical figures such as Hitler, for instance. They love guns and other weapons, are fascinated by death, torture, and martial arts in all their forms.
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