Rf. Baumeister et Kl. Sommer, PATTERNS IN THE BIZARRE - COMMON THEMES IN SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE, SEXUAL MASOCHISM, UFO ABDUCTIONS, FACTITIOUS ILLNESS, AND EXTREME LOVE, Journal of social and clinical psychology, 16(2), 1997, pp. 213-223
We discuss common themes in these studies of satanic ritual abuse, sex
ual masochism, abduction by extraterrestrial beings, factitious illnes
s patterns, and extreme love experiences. The paradox of voluntarily c
onstructing oneself in a victim's role, including humiliation, helples
sness, and suffering, is central to all five. People seem to do this i
n order to transcend and transform their identities and, in particular
, to cultivate relationships with powerful, often desirable others (in
cluding therapists). Although self-esteem is lost in terms of the old
identity, it can be gained within the context of the new identity.