"The Autoerotic Asphyxiation Syndrome in Adolescent and Young Adult Males"
This paper was researched and written in 1996 by the brother of an autoerotic asphyxiation victim.
Email the author: markc63@aol.com
ABSTRACT
Of the various types of abnormal
sexual behavior, or “paraphilias” as defined by medicine, probably the most
bizarre and dangerous is autoerotic asphyxiation, also known as sexual hanging.
Autoerotic asphyxia is the practice of inducing cerebral anoxia, usually by
means of self-applied ligatures or suffocating devices, while the individual
masturbates to orgasm. The most common practitioners of this paraphilia are
adolescent and young adult males. Despite its long documented history, this
bizarre practice is still an enigma for most in society, including medical and
law enforcement personnel. Tragically, the asphyxiator’s sexual practice is
usually first discovered when he dies from accidental hanging.
Survivors of those who die by autoerotic asphyxiation are puzzled and troubled by what must seem to them bizarre behavior on the part of individuals whom they believed to be free of abnormal sexual behavior. The surviving family members and friends are left struggling with the sudden tragedy of death, along with having to cope with the bizarre, embarrassing practice of autoerotic asphyxiation. Families are left with lingering questions of; Why did he do this? Who taught him this? Why didn’t he get help? The grim task of answering these enigmatic questions is usually left to law enforcement investigators or medical professionals who, most likely, have only limited explanation for the autoerotic practice. There are psychoanalytic and physiological theories that can explain some of the reasons for the practice, however, families are still left with unanswered questions, along with feelings of guilt and embarrassment. This paper will attempt to explain the autoerotic asphyxiation syndrome, and suggest that through education, counseling and emotional support, family and friends can gain relief from this emotionally scaring experience.
Read the entire paper: Autoerotic Asphyxiation syndrome...
(This paper is available in Adobe PDF format which includes the references list. Email the author your request for the PDF document.)
You will Adobe Acrobat reader to read this file. Click below for free download.
Victim and family support: The author is very often asked for referrals to support groups for grieving family members. Unfortunately, there are no specific support groups for AeA victim-families that are known to the author. Below are the best resources that have been found. Please email the author if you know of any others. markc63@aol.com
Yahoo AeA Support Club The most recommended support group exists via the Internet as a Yahoo-based group. It's membership is restricted to victim-family members and friends of AeA victims. It is moderated by the father of an AeA victim.
Compassionate Friends Network is a national nonprofit, self-help support organization that offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.
Internal Links:
Questions and Answers: A page containing questions asked of the author via email and the author's responses. (All e-mails posted here have been changed to protect privacy of the individuals involved.)
FAQ's: Responses to a few of the most common questions.
External Links:
SilentVictims.org is a support web site for victim-family members. It is run by the father of an AeA victim in partner with the author of this paper.
AN OBJECTIVE OVERVIEW OF AUTOEROTIC FATALITIES by Brent TurveyVIEWPOINTS CONCERNING EROTIC ASPHYXIATION
The Medical Realities of Breath Control Play by Jay Wiseman