Sex is perhaps the only basic instinct of the human beings that has managed to intrigue man through all the ages, since time immemorial through its multi-faceted nature that can surely be considered to be beyond the boundaries of understanding of most human beings. There are countless dispositions as far as sex is concerned and each individual tends to have his own tastes and preferences and many of the times, these are quite queer in nature. Though, sex is symbolized to be the most expressive and spontaneous of all the ways of exhibiting love, more often than not, individuals seem to have their own different expectations and methodologies to derive the optimum satisfaction out of the act of having sex and these are usually quite varying in nature, depending much on the individual’s personal nature, tastes and preferences.

In this respect, it may be mentioned that the term “masochist” may be aptly used to describe the nature of an individual, who tends to derive pleasure or gratification in sexual aspects, out of humiliation or ill- treatment, either physically or mentally though one’s own self or through another individual. More often than not, this condition is quite harmful than being useful, as, it can have a detrimental effect on the individual’s physique as well as the mind, to some extent, if the condition goes on uncontrolled.

There are quite a few classes of masochists depending upon their individual dispositions. On one hand, it may include people who derive sexual satisfaction from being insulted or through any other kind of pain mated out onto them, while on the other, it may also include certain sections of people who enjoy definite types of physical pain for the rush of the hormone endorphin within their bodies. This pain may often be quite intense and enough to inflict a sense of fear in any normal human being.

One of the multiple faces of masochism is definitely, sadomasochism. This usually involves the deriving of intense pleasure through the inflicting of pain on the body of the individual either through himself or through a different individual. It may also often take the form of mental torture. It may seem quite strange, but, masochists usually tend to derive bliss from a condition of intense inflicting of mental pain also. This trait of masochists definitely set them apart from any other normal human.

In the present days, the number of cases involving masochism is greatly on the rise, partly because of the hectic and unorganized lifestyle that most people lead nowadays and partly because of the myriad hues of human nature that is quite difficult to understand for a normal human.

It should however be remembered, being a masochist does not necessarily imply the exhibition of any abnormality on the part of the person. In fact, being a masochist is not at all a grave problem, as long as this trait does not interfere with the normal well- being of the person. It starts to cast its ill – effects only when this trait goes beyond the control of the individual and poses a great threat, in the form of a disease that slowly, but steadily mars an individual’s self- respect and hence begins to throw the individual’s life into jeopardy. In such scenario, it is always advisable on the part of the masochist to consult a psychologist who can aptly help him to get himself out of this grave situation through proper counseling.

It can thus be rightly remarked that it is not at all abnormal to be a masochist as long as the individual can indulge in proper self –evaluation and stay away from the things that can be detrimental to his existence.