Dacryphilia (also known as dacrylagnia) is a form of paraphilia in which one is aroused by tears or sobbing.^[1] Dacryphilia is primarily associated with males.^[2]

The term covers all forms of pleasure from the tears of others. The arousal is achieved when viewing a person in emotional distress. It carries the theme where a person (often a top in a BDSM relationship) induces another (the bottom) to cry, or otherwise show a strong emotion.

[edit] BDSM

Dacryphilia is often the basis of humiliation in the 'pain/restriction/servitude/humiliation' spectrum of BDSM, for example, a dominant verbally abuses the submissive in order to elicit a tearful response. Similarly, a dominant may physically torture the submissive to draw tears in a pain scene. In this way, dacryphilia is a form of sadism.

The psychological aspects of dacryphilia are that the causative entity displays the power to control the psychological response from the receiver. This form of power-play therefore brings pleasure, and for some, sexual arousal. Passive dacryphilia involves a third party who also achieves pleasure in watching someone in emotional distress, usually caused by the scening dominant, though the reason does not restrict the pleasure - a person may enjoy the tears of others despite whatever the cause.^[3]

[edit] Other usage

Dacryphilia is sometimes used to express the pleasure experienced through one's own tears, often as an emotional release.

[edit] References

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