Sub-drop

Psychology of BDSM

Psychology
of BDSM

Psychology
gateway

(all psychology articles)

Basics

Penetration

Engagement

Consent

Communication

Power

Authority

Control

Trust

Fetish

Defence mechanisms

Mapping motivations to activities

Roles
Top		Bottom
Dominant		Submissive
Master		Slave
Trainer		Trainee
Owner		Property
Mistress
Switch
SAM

Motivations (all motivation articles)

Ecstasy

Subspace

Catharsis

Surrender

Experiencing power

Hotter sex

Recreation

Expiation of guilt

Intimacy and bonding

Physiological outcomes

Chemical high

Unhealthy motivations

Just a bit of fun (not)

Pain (not)

Play versus "deep play" versus work

Transformation of pain into pleasure

The joy of being a top or dominant

Sub-drop refers to a submissive's or bottom's experience of coming down from the emotional high of a BDSM scene. It can manifest as moodiness or depression, and can be accompanied by a sense of loss and/or tears. If it does appear, it may be any time from straight after the scene to two or three days afterwards. It is highly subjective, and some submissives may not be affected by it at all, while others may find it so disruptive that they need to plan for it in advance (such as by not engaging in scenes when they know they have to work the following day).

Methods of dealing with sub-drop

1. As there may be a chemical component to the high which occurs in a scene, make sure that the submissive is eating well and not skipping meals in the period following a scene.
2. Spending time with the their BDSM partner can also help a submissive combat some of the emotional effects of 'drop.
3. Distraction - such as going to the movies, keeping busy, spending time with friends, etc.