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

[arsinoea]

I definitely want to be a part of this!

[sistahraven]

Cool! I'll keep you informed.

[bcfraggle]

I remember reading the section on GID in the DSM and thinking that it sounded so pathologizing.

Well, they've got a few years to get their act together. The next version of the DSM isn't due til 2012.

[sistahraven]

Yeah, I'm hoping things start looking better as the year progresses.

[jannedoe]

I'll definately read up on it. My good friend is trans, and I feel like I'm very lacking in knowledge on the subject. Thanks for the linkage!

[sistahraven]

You're welcome - I'm glad to spread the info!

[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

[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