The traditional definition of masochism is enjoying something that brings
pain. But a common definition of
pain is something one doesn't
enjoy. Enjoying the un-enjoyable is
obviously a
paradox.
According to
Philip K. Dick in '
UBIK', masochism is in fact a
need to have complete control over one's
destiny. Dick theorizes that the
masochist destroys whatever path they're taking through
life as soon as they think of a possible
hazard. It's when you stop or cancel something enjoyable because of some small problem that could occur.
Teen angst often takes the form of masochism, such as "I'm not going to the
school dance because ___________. I'm just going to sit here and sulk instead."