PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS

by Richard von Krafft-Ebing

This landmark study of sexual mania, deviation and perversity is presented in a new, modern translation highlighting the cases chosen by KrafftEbing to appear in the 12th and final edition of the book, the culmination of his life’s work. An essential reference for those interested in the development of medical and psychiatric diagnosis of sexual derangement, Psychopathia Sexualis is also a fascinating document for those drawn to the darker side of human sexuality and behaviour. Cases range from Jack the Ripper to the most obscure and extreme instances of perversion known to 19th century psychiatrists and criminologists.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Sexuality, History, Science, Anthropology, True Crime

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1886

Reviews

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

...I don't know how to be coherent in regard this book, so here's a list of adjectives:

Interesting, depressing, dated, occasionally unintentionally hilarious ("She had always been indifferent towards men. In fact, she avoided balls.") and of course: disturbing.

I'm still unsure of what the value of this book was for me. I just sat and read a whole bunch of horrible facts but don't feel like I particularly learned anything..."enriching" is not how I would describe this.

[Olethros · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Innovador entonces, pintoresco ahora.-

Género. Ensayo (por denominarlo de alguna manera que no añada más etiquetas al blog, pero en realidad es un estudio clínico y forense, o al menos lo que se entendía como tal hace más de ciento veinticinco años).

Lo que nos cuenta. Recopilación de casos (desde una perspectiva “clínica” para su tiempo) de comportamientos sexuales que van de lo no común a lo penal entonces y ahora, pasando por lo pintoresco, lo enfermizo y lo raro, descritos por un médico a finales del siglo XIX con intencionalidad académica. El número de casos revisados varía según ediciones, llegando a los 238 en la última.

¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:

http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

My, rating old books is hard. Alright, basically this whole book is made of case histories focusing on people's different sexual pathologies. Who these people are is unkmown, and I get the feeling most of them were not Krafft-Ebing's patients, but instead cases picked up from newspapers, closed criminal cases and hearsay from all over the world. I mean, he goes as far as classifying Jack the Ripper's case.

This is a completely outdated book and it's only value is serving as a reference of how morally constrained psychology (if you can call it that) used to be. The author keeps calling the people on these stories monsters, deficient, and other berating adjectives. Masturbation was thought to bring 'neurasthenia', sexual dysfunction and whatever the author choosed to say. Here's a quote straight from the book to illustrate this: "No doubt excessive masturbation brought about neurosis and inverted sexuality to which he was led by excessive libido." It's appalling how these poor people were so mislead by their psychiatrist.

And of course, this was written back when psychopathology was thought to be an hereditary trait. First thing Krafft-Ebing wrote down on every case, right after the name and age of the patient, was all the 'taints' the patient's relatives possessed. A drunkard mother, a suicidal cousin, a depressed sister... these were all possible causes to the patient's maladies. The author was also very set on listing epilepsy as the reason behind big part of these pathologies.

The most insightful parts of the book and the ones I enjoyed the most are the times Krafft-Ebing steps aside and just transcribe letters or self written biographies of the patients. Their reasonings and first-hand account of suffering for being different tell much more than all the inconsequential physical snips of information the author presents us with.

Finishing this book took me a while 'cause I kept putting it down again and again. Krafft-Ebing was not a literary award winner, let me tell you that. After reading three or four cases of a certain pathology it's like you've read them all already. And something that bothered me a lor while reading it was that they are almost always inconclusive. It's like the author had no idea about anything that went on with the patient's thoughts and never attempted any treatment; he just limited himself to classify their sexual practices and find an organic origin for them.

[Juliette De lorsange · Rating 5 out of 5]

One. Of. My. Favorite. Books. Ever.

If you are able to retain a strong sense of humor as you encounter every single bit of sex negativity in this tome, it can provide a brilliant foundation for negotiating roleplay. It can also open some really interesting doors for you if you have a kink-friendly shrink (especially if you're one of those people who go to more than one shrink!).

I especially adore the case studies that tie together obsessive-compulsive disorder and fetishes for certain textiles, fluids, and (gasp!) incest.

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another SCORE from my local second-hand book shop! I only paid 5 Euro for this classic, not realizing what a great find it was :-)

Richard von Kraft-Ebing's study of "pathological sex" is said to be the foundation of Freud's most notable works. Because this book was written in 1886 (and translated from German), I did find some of it hard to read. This book is required reading in many university-sponsored psychology courses so it's by no means light reading. It took me far longer than usual to get through this book because I took the time to research words and concepts I was unfamiliar with. I recently found an "electronic bookmark" that allows you to look up look up words; consider it a bookmark-cum-dictionary :-) I definitely need to invest in one as I focus my reading on more in-depth topics. I'm not an academic by any means but I do enjoy educating myself on topics I find appealing.

This book attempts to explain the deeper meaning behind certain sexual activities that we consider mainstream now...but weren't at that time. Sadomasochism, bondage and various fetishes are all discussed and analysed, making for some interesting conversation points on various forums. While I can't say I agree with the over-simplification von Kraft-Ebing offers on certain topics, he certainly gives a great starting point for further exploration and research.

One topic I found very interesting is that homosexuality was treated as a mental illness right up until the beginning of the last century! In fact, some schools of thought are STILL convinced a person can be "cured" of being homosexual. An antiquated, highly damaging concept, of course...but reflective of the Victorian age.

I highly recommend this amazing book!


P.S. - You can download a free e-book version from the Gutenberg Project website! There are actually quite a few classics that I look forward to reading that I obtained from that site :-)

[Alberto Jiménez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard von Krafft-Ebbing, autor de Psychopathia Sexualis (1.886), fue un pionero de la sexología y de la medicina forense. Inventó términos como sadismo y masoquismo e ideó una clasificación de las fijaciones sexuales o parafilias.
Su obra mayor es este libro, que puede ser leído como un catálogo de pasiones excéntricas. Con una prosa descriptiva y sugerente, Krafft-Ebbing nos cuenta historias curiosísimas, como la del profesor de gimnasia que desarrolló una fijación erótica por los orificios nasales de las mujeres o la de ese otro hombre que, en Viena, acudía a las prostitutas sólo para enjabonarles las cara y luego quitarles la espuma con la navaja, como si las estuviese afeitando.

[Dustin Reade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite funny for the right kind of person. Like me.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of case studies from the 1800s is fascinating at times, but overall is a little too depressing and disturbing for most readers. It does represent another clear example of "nothing new under the sun," but realizing that some of our great-great-great grandparents were as perverted as anyone in our modern society is not a comforting thought. I would only recommend this book to those who are truly interested in the subject.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly interesting case studies and observations of sexuality and sexual dysfunction in the 1800's.

[Jozua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written book which explores the subject of sexuality and was probably ahead of its time. However, one could also argue that it is clearly outdated for our time.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was hilarous that in the store this book was shelved amid all the hot-pink and red books of sex tips. Victorian-era case studies of sexual "dysfunction" probably will not spice up one's love life, despite the tacit claims made by the sexy cover (which, incidently, is an image from a not-very-good movie based on a handful of case studies).

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite dry, as it is just an assembly of old case studies. But I found it an amusing window through time at the taboos and mores of its day. In particular, the persistent assumption of the terrible, sanity-rending consequences of onanism (masturbation) that features at least partially in almost every case.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Especially amusing are all of the "scientific" theories, which clearly have religious motivations or at least are largely tinted by that period's views of what is and isn't moral, normal, etc.

[jazthedigital · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 1886 an Austro-German psychiatrist Richard Von Krafft-Ebbing published a treatise on sexual deviations and disorders. It was meant to be like a catalogue that should shed light on the rational treatments and identifications of such things in patients worldwide. It was one of the first serious presentation and description of fetishes and homosexuality (well, for the 19th century European landscape that considered heterosexuality as the “true”, “only natural path” of sexual intercourse) as activity and psychosexual dynamic.

But let’s not lie to ourselves fundamentals of 19 & 20th psychological terms, traditions in mapping inner worlds & emotions of the people was done by mostly white, heterosexual privileged men. That didn’t questioned (or didn’t questioned smartly enough) their own cultural biases and limited perspectives as just these kinds of people.
So I read it with a grain of salt from a start. After all it presents an old mindset and could be treated at best as historical curiosity a “fun fact” of the past.

Oh... I was right worrying that this position which introduced first outline (very flawed and bit bizzare for today’s standards) of terms like “sadism” or “masochism”.

It’s one of first books that featured a psychological look on homosexuality. And (as sadly expected) Kraft-Ebbing doesn’t see it as another existing part of humanity, that was around for centuries but erased by heteronormative narratives. He wasn’t as cunning and smart, for this.
Presenting homosexuality as for of deviancy with different possible causes. But also draws homosexuality as a biological feature, distancing away the religious connotations with “devilish tendencies” or simple-minded demonisation of his times. That’s something you might think, but wait. Also even though opposing criminalisation of homosexuality at his time, here he advocates for curation of homosexuality. Eh... So that’s where this oppressive thing gained wider momentum... Okay... Let’s read further... *exhale*
This book can be hard to read to a queer person of 21st century. Just saying...



Book organises sexual perversions (as viewed in 19th century, mind you) into three categories:
-hyperaesthesia (pathologically exaggerated sexual instincts)
-anaesthesia (absence of sexual instinct)
-paraesthesia (sexual instinct’s perversion)

I’d say this author took effort to be really descriptive in character of his work about subjects he studied. That’s for sure. It is also worth noting that some influence of this work isn’t that bad. It definitely has a good contribution to wider consideration for individual approach to patients, their symptoms and cases. As not just a patterns, dogmatically treated, like if human mind machinations were set in stone. That’s one of the generally insightful observations and pushed narratives of the book. And a breathe of fresh air for the culture of medical procedures back in a day of the release.
He also altered the general way of usage of a term “perversion”. Taking it outside of then general context as just “sinful act” or “sodomical desire of ill”. Giving it not as oppressive and purely evaluative ring and usage in psychiatry years later.



Michael Foucault (leftist academic, philosopher, theorist of culture & sociologist, author of “History of Sexuality”) wrote on Krafft-Ebbing:

“Claiming to speak the truth, it stirred up people's fears...Involuntarily naïve in the best of cases, more often intentionally mendacious, in complicity with what it denounced, haughty and coquettish, it established an entire pornography of the morbid, which was characteristic of the fin de siecle society."

Nicely put, Mr. Foucault.

And I’m giving this one a 2 out of 5 stars.
Mostly for being useful tool in identification of roots of the heteronormative cult thinking and narrow, pseudoscientific, authoritarianism that many reactionist like to claim and cite when talking about sexuality topics. For a person outside of medical circles it was a bit of a wild ride to get through, sometimes hilarious for its bad aspects, outdated psychology interpretations and mindset of the too confident author.
That has to count for something right?

It’s an oddity of a book. A failed rendition of a world that never has been and workings of mind that’s funny in its deterministic machinations.



Fun fact for the end: Richard von Krafft-Ebbing was the first psychiatrist that described biting kink. Drawing a line between biting as action in sexual manner, stimulating activity to some. “Oh hey, that sinking-your-teeth-in-partner’s-body-thing? That can mean something and one doing the sinking isn’t just hungry... I better describe that.” Lol
He included this and other thoughts of fetishes in this book. Basically paving way for descriptions and more consideration (an unfortunate, but again it was 19th century thinking) of non-sexual acts in performed in sexual, arousing manner.

[Andrew Noselli · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The love of the feeble-minded, when unrequited, results in suicide."

"It is certainly a psychological question worthy of consideration whether a woman can love twice in her life."

"Unless a man is depraved, he seeks a woman whose chastity is not in question."

First off, I want to relate my experiences regarding these three sentences, but I will do so at a later time. For now, let me say that this book caused me to remember that I dreamed of masochistic scenes derived from the reading of comic books, seeing myself in place of the superheroes who were placed into situations of extreme danger, with an immanent death seemingly inescapable, to conclude between monthly issues. It brought me sexual gratification on a fantasy-level. ... In particular, I felt drawn to recreate death-scenes or scenes of intense suffering, situations where I was a slave at the hands of a cruel woman. In terms of the history of my love-life, I found a great deal of resonance here in terms of my fantasies and predilections and progressive mental weakening to the point of near imbecility. When I was growing up, I was conflicted: I both wanted to meet my true eternal love and rued the prospect that I would be hemmed into an early marriage, like my parents were. I want to experience great love affairs, bear undying love-scars; I did, and wound up in a mental hospital, where I was confined for a number of weeks. When I got out I threw away the Zyprexa they gave me and added my profile to Match.com.

Maybe this book doesn't hold up so well in terms of its medico-psychiatric science, but it shows the degree to which television, cinema and other forms of communications technology has had a hand in channeling desire into the outlets now condoned as being "socially acceptable."

[Note: Fistula and bagnio were synchronized repeat words occurring both in Boccaccio's Decameron, the book I finished yesterday, and appearing in Krafft-Ebing's book.]

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely lengthy series of anecdotes (more or less) regarding individual sexual psychopathology cases, from a late 19th century point of view. And a profoundly influential text, in its and the following era's sexology. Though that having said, not necessarily all that compelling a text on either a human or academic level, in the present day, I would argue. The patient cases examined are somewhat too distantly summarised for their own stories to be received as personal stories or character portraits. And the medical matters concerned are often examined in an era-specific way which makes these observations (e.g., of whether what we now know to be non-heritable traits were inherited by the subject) of little use. Perhaps if it were either more direct and detailed in its description of individual subjects observed directly by the author, or more theoretically grounded, in an attempt to justify a framework for understanding these conditions, it might be more worthwhile. But for me, this was decidedly less worthwhile than Havelock Ellis's "Sexual Inversion" in the same era and genre.

[Courtney Coulson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important piece of literature that needs to be remembered. It seems that society has gone drastically backwards in regards to sexuality since this book was published. Krafft-Ebbing writes with compassion for those afflicted with deviant sexualities, while keeping himself planted firmly in reality and not getting lost in gender ideology. He was well ahead of his time. His theories on sexual inversion might seem outdated, but they are still applicable today. This intense gender inversion/dysphoria/autoheterosexuality still afflicts many today.
It is also an important artifact in homosexual history, offering a view into how homosexuals of the time survived and sometimes even thrived in a time when their very existence was scandalous. Lots of lavender weddings here!

[Tickler Seeker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book hoping to get some ideas to try with my lady. Mostly just a lot of Judeo-Christian attitudes about sexuality. The author looks like he'd be a freak with that tickler, but I believe he is dealing with repressed sexual feelings and should seek therapy.

The reason I gave two stars is because he called Australians a savage race, and I can confirm. My friend is Australian, and he mostly just drinks wine and plays video games.

I also learned the word houri from reading this.

[Mark Kaiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 600+ page book by Krafft-Ebbing(d. 1904), but was last revised in 1922.
Whatever errors there are now recognized as without foundation, it still had the affect of
bringing human foibles and feelings of guilt out of the shadows for the first time.

I enjoyed reading it as an historical document, I was also reminded of how many categories I might have been fitted into except for my salvation, the DSM-5, which makes me seem rather humdrum.

[Lucien Welsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating this one is difficult given the nature of the book itself, but I did find it incredibly interesting to read such old breakdowns and summaries of mental health in relation to sexual acts in general as well as more criminal behaviors. A curious read for sure.

[DS25 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Speravo fosse uno studio sociale (o di storia sociale) su questi casi, specialmente illuso dalla bellissima introduzione di Agamben. Invece è un elenco telefonico di casi clinici espressi con un linguaggio scientificamente superato. Interessante per altri, non per me.

[Heni · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a hard read 😐
This is more like the compilation of cases, tho, apparently. Informative, but with the other references from the other psychologists, it honestly gives headache.

[Nero Seal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Heather Forensky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books took me a long time to finish. But it was quite interesting. At least now I know where Freud's theories came from.

[Morgan]

DNF-ing this only because I think I would benefit from reading a physical copy rather than the e-book format I have.

[Judith Sulivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

enlightening

So glad I read this. Good foundation for a book I am working on about a disorder that was only identified in the 21st century.

[ghost. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is really old this is very hard to read
Theres alot of interesting topics and really old views
I only read this because my friend wanted to read this topic

[lázaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

super banger (obviamente hay que leerlo desde una perspectiva determinada)

[Sabrina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 / 5 stars

Dated. Unintentionally funny. Enlightening.

[Serenity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Outdated. Enough said.