What is the primary characteristic of Sexual Masochism Disorder?

The primary characteristic of Sexual Masochism Disorder is indeed recurrent arousal from the act of being humiliated or made to suffer. This condition is defined in the DSM-5-TR, where it is established that the arousal must occur over a period of at least six months and cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Individuals experiencing this disorder find pleasure in fantasies or behaviors that involve humiliation, pain, or suffering, which distinguishes it from other disorders related to sexual interests, such as those involving experiencing pleasure from inflicting suffering on others or involving in cross-dressing. For example, Sexual Sadism Disorder focuses on the arousal from inflicting pain or humiliation on others, while cross-dressing is specifically related to dressing in clothing typically associated with the opposite gender and is covered under different disorders if it leads to distress or impairment.

Thus, the focus on personal experiences of humiliation or suffering as the source of sexual arousal is what uniquely defines Sexual Masochism Disorder.