symphorophilia

English

Etymology

Coined by sexologist John Money.

Noun

symphorophilia (uncountable)

1. (rare) A paraphilia involving sexual arousal from staging and watching disasters, such as traffic collisions.
   • 1986, John Money, Lovemaps, page 92:

     The phylism to which biastophilia and symphorophilia become attached is probably the ungovernable rage of an infantile temper tantrum. The victims of the catastrophe are, like hostages, stand-ins for the original enemy.

   • 2006, Linda Edelstein, Writer's Guide to Character Traits, page 168:

     One of the strangest sexual problems occurs with symphorophilia.

   • 2008, Anil Aggrawal, Forensic and Medico-legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and Unusual Sexual Practices, page 17:

     Autoassassinophilia (arousal from putting oneself in a position to be killed) and symphorophilia (arousal by accidents or catastrophes) are paraphilias of the sacrificial type.

   • 2010, Cody McFadyen, Abandoned:

     "What's he need?" Alan asks. "Car crashes?"
     "It's called symphorophilia, dear," Callie says. "Someone who is sexually aroused by accidents or catastrophes."