Abstract
Vorarephilia (“vore”) is an infrequently presenting paraphilia, characterized by the erotic desire to consume or be consumed by another person or creature. Few data exist on vore though several cases have been reported which appear to be consistent with basic vorarephilic interests. Because this sexual interest cannot be enacted in real life due to physical and/or legal restraints, vorarephilic fantasies are often composed in text or illustrations and shared with other members of this subculture via the Internet. Similarities with aspects of bondage/dominance sadomasochism interests, more specifically dominance and submission, are noted. The current case report describes a man with masochistic sexual interests which intersected with submissive vorarephilic fantasy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
The subject of this case study consented in writing to the use of his de-identified information being used for research purposes. All aspects of the present investigations followed the pertinent guidelines of the CAMH Research Ethics Board.
The corresponding DSM-5 diagnosis would be: Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder (Vorarephilia), Other Specified Paraphilic Disorder (Partialism for women’s feet), and Masochistic Disorder, with prior (DSM-IV-TR) diagnoses of Dysthymic Disorder and a rule-out of Social Phobia.
References
Ågmo, A. (2007). Functional and dysfunctional sexual behavior: A synthesis of neuroscience and comparative psychology. London: Academic Press.
Baumeister, R. F. (1988a). Gender differences in masochistic scripts. Journal of Sex Research, 25, 478–499.
Baumeister, R. F. (1988b). Masochism as escape from self. Journal of Sex Research, 25, 28–59.
Baumeister, R. F. (1997). The enigmatic appeal of sexual masochism: Why people desire pain, bondage, and humiliation in sex. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 16, 133–150.
Baumeister, R. F., & Sommer, K. L. (1997). Patterns in the bizarre: Common themes in satanic ritual abuse, sexual masochism, UFO abductions, factitious illness, and extreme love. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 16, 213–223.
Beier, K. M. (2009). Comment on Pfäfflin’s (2008) “Good enough to eat” [Letter to the Editor]. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 38, 164–165.
Channel 4 (Producer). (2004). Body shock: The man who ate his lover. Available from http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-man-who-ate-his-lover/.
Connolly, P. H. (2006). Psychological functioning of bondage/domination/sado-masochism (BDSM) practitioners. Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, 18, 79–120.
Freund, K., Seto, M. C., & Kuban, M. (1995). Masochism: A multiple case study. Sexuologie, 4, 313–324.
Gates, K. (2000). Deviant desires: Incredibly strange sex. New York: Juno Books.
Masters, B. (1993). The shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer. London: Hodder & Stoughton, Ltd.
Pfäfflin, F. (2008). Good enough to eat. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37, 286–293.
Phillips, S. (Producer). (1994). Confessions of a serial killer: Jeffery Dahmer. Available from http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/confessions-of-a-serial-killer/.
Stein-Rostaing, R. (Producer). (2008). 60 minutes: The cannibal. Available from http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/391155/the-cannibal.
Vermaseren, M. J. (1963). Mithras, the secret god. London: Chatto and Windus.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lykins, A.D., Cantor, J.M. Vorarephilia: A Case Study in Masochism and Erotic Consumption. Arch Sex Behav 43, 181–186 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0185-y
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-013-0185-y