spineless sadism

English

Noun

spineless sadism (uncountable)

1. (historical, psychiatry) One of the four subtypes of sadistic personality disorder as defined by the American psychiatrist Theodore Millon. Includes features of avoidant personality disorder

Usage notes

• Sadistic personality disorder was introduced in DSM-III-R and removed in DSM-IV. personality disorder not otherwise specified may be used instead.
• These subtypes are not recognized by the DSM-5 or ICD-10.
• Any individual with sadistic personality disorder may exhibit either one of the four somewhat different subtypes.

See also

• tyrannical sadism
• enforcing sadism
• explosive sadism