by Aidan Sunassee
November 2024
BDSM has long stirred curiosity (and controversy), and for decades. It’s been assumed that people drawn to BDSM—particularly those with a history of childhood trauma—are engaging in a form of trauma repetition. Psychoanalytic theories, most notably from Sigmund Freud, have suggested that behaviors like BDSM might stem from unresolved childhood conflicts, with trauma survivors unconsciously recreating past abuse scenarios without any resolution or healing.
However, Lotz-Nigh’s study presents a more nuanced understanding. While some BDSM practitioners acknowledge a connection between their trauma and their sexual interests, most participants emphasized that their engagement in BDSM is rooted in pleasure, control, and consent. It is not about reliving past trauma, but rather about exploring boundaries and desires in empowering and safe ways.
Lotz-Nigh’s research identifies two main perspectives through which BDSM practitioners with childhood trauma histories understand their involvement: divergence and convergence.
● Divergence: Some participants view their interest in BDSM as entirely separate from their trauma history. They describe their engagement in BDSM as something they are naturally drawn to, unrelated to their abuse. For these individuals, BDSM represents a consensual exploration of power and sensation, not a revisiting of past events.
● Convergence: For others, there is some overlap between their trauma history and BDSM interests. However, this convergence doesn’t necessarily manifest as trauma repetition. Instead, BDSM offers a space to safely process difficult emotions tied to their trauma, such as shame or vulnerability. In this context, BDSM provides a structured environment where these emotions can be explored and transformed through consensual, controlled scenarios.
One of the most powerful findings from this dissertation is that, for many survivors, BDSM can be a healing experience. Rather than retraumatizing them, BDSM allows these individuals to regain a sense of control over their bodies and emotions. The focus on consent, negotiation, and clear boundaries creates a safe environment in which participants can work through emotions linked to their trauma.
By physically experiencing power dynamics in a consensual setting, participants are able to reassert control over parts of their lives that were previously marked by helplessness or harm.
Lotz-Nigh’s study also brings attention to certain challenges. One of the most significant is the stigma that continues to surround BDSM, particularly for those with childhood trauma histories. Many participants reported feeling misunderstood by therapists and healthcare professionals, who often viewed their BDSM interests through an outdated lens of pathology.
Another issue raised is the challenge of setting boundaries within the BDSM community. While many found BDSM to be a healing process, others mentioned difficulties with boundary-setting which may lead to instances of revictimization. This highlights the need for more education, both within the BDSM community and in the wider world, about consent, negotiation and trauma-informed care.
Ultimately, Lotz-Nigh’s research shifts the narrative surrounding BDSM and trauma. Rather than viewing BDSM practitioners with childhood trauma histories as perpetuating cycles of abuse, the study reveals that, for many, BDSM offers a way to reclaim control and find empowerment. It creates a space where trauma survivors can engage in consensual, pleasurable activities that foster healing and personal growth.
As BDSM becomes more visible and accepted in mainstream culture, Lotz-Nigh’s work is a reminder that this practice is far more complex than it might appear. For some, it may be mere leisure. For others, it represents a path to healing – an opportunity to transform past trauma into a source of empowerment.