Trans and the DSM-IV

[sistahraven]

Thanks to volare for the info, gotten via a post by amberiteThe American Psychiatric Association has put together a committee to reexamine the status of GID (Gender Identity Disorder) in the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual (the DSM). This commission contains ex-gay personalities, autogynephilia people, and orgasmic dysfunction therapists... but very few who

Comments

[simplydorei]

It is interesting...there is a huge push in the mental health arena to include input from clients/families/community members who have experience in specific areas when making revisions, but the bottom line IMHO is as professionals, we are too worried about proving psychology as a 'hard science'. Since the inclusion of 'laypersons' would further reinforce the 'rookie' role that psych carries as a 'soft science', it is hard to imagine that there will be any real progress towards that level of inclusion. Unfortunately, there are a vast majority of practitioners who feel that the medical model is the only right way to practice.

For those interested, there is an interesting report on NPR about hormone blocking. It includes this awesome statement:

"It puzzles me because we even have well-intentioned parents who we care about and who know us ... say, 'Well she's too young to know!' Well, when did you know you were a girl? When did I know I was a boy? I knew my whole life, I can't tell you exactly when, but it wasn't like I was 10 and realized, 'Oh gee, I must be a boy!' " Robert says. "What people fail to realize is they made that decision way earlier than that. It just happened that their gender identity and their anatomy matched."

[sistahraven]

I share that opinion as well. The medical model can work in some situations, but psychology's strength is in its flexibility, imo.

Two people with the same disorder can manifest it in opposite ways (like sexual abuse and rape survivors with PTSD - some become asexual for a time, while others have a time of hypersexuality, and some fluctuate between the two).

And I love that quote! The article is very well written. Thanks for sharing it.

[simplydorei]

Most welcome! :D