Self-defeating personality disorder
Self-defeating personality disorder was a proposed personality disorder. It was discussed in an appendix of the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1987, but was never formally admitted into the manual. As an alternative, the diagnosis personality disorder not otherwise specified remains in use. A classification proposed for future versions is the personality disorder-trait specified. Some researchers and theorists continue to use the DSM-III-R criteria. The official diagnostic code number was 301.90.
Diagnosis
Definition proposed in DSM III-R for further review
Self-defeating personality disorder is:rejects opportunities for pleasure, or is reluctant to acknowledge enjoying themself
Exclusion from DSM-IV
Historically, masochism has been associated with feminine submissiveness. This disorder became politically controversial when associated with domestic violence which was considered to be mostly caused by males. However a number of studies suggest that the disorder is common. In spite of its exclusion from DSM-IV in 1994, it continues to enjoy widespread currency amongst clinicians as a construct that explains a great many facets of human behaviour.Sexual masochism that "causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning" is still in DSM-IV.
Millon's subtypes
has proposed four subtypes of masochist. Any individual masochist may fit into none, one or more of the following subtypes:| Subtype | Description | Personality traits |
| Virtuous masochist | Including histrionic features | Proudly unselfish, self-denying, and self-sacrificial; self-ascetic; weighty burdens are judged noble, righteous, and saintly; others must recognize loyalty and faithfulness; gratitude and appreciation expected for altruism and forbearance. |
| Possessive masochist | Including negativistic features | Bewitches and ensnares by becoming jealous, overprotective, and indispensable; entraps, takes control, conquers, enslaves, and dominates others by being sacrificial to a fault; control by obligatory dependence. |
| Self-undoing masochist | Including avoidant features | Is "wrecked by success"; experiences "victory through defeat"; gratified by personal misfortunes, failures, humiliations, and ordeals; eschews best interests; chooses to be victimized, ruined, disgraced. |
| Oppressed masochist | Including depressive features | Experiences genuine misery, despair, hardship, anguish, torment, illness; grievances used to create guilt in others; resentments vented by exempting from responsibilities and burdening "oppressors". |