DSVM being re written

[celeste26]

Anyone pay attention to the DSVM? It is the manual that the therapists use to determine diagnosis. The whole Transgender community is about to be upset by the new standards if they get accepted for the psychology industry. Every so many years it goes through a review process to eliminate the archaic things and offer new diagnostic labels for all the therapists to follow.

As far as I know as of this time the new manual has not be totally approved yet, it is still being discussed, but the ones in charge seem rather disapproving of transexuality as a diagnosis, and they have people involved who support something called "reparative therapy" instead of the surgery most of us look forward to at the end of our process of change.

[Kathryn Martin]

This is a huge issue. Ray Blanchard the inventor of autogynephilia and his pupil Zucker who is head of the Gender Clinic in Toronto were appointed to the working group with Zucker as chairperson. Neither believes that Transsexualism is a condition that many of us have. The perfidiousness of their approach is, that autogynephilia is currently considered a hypothesis which makes it difficult to scientifically attack it through proper peer review. Yet, they are advocating the inclusion of this hypothesis into the DSM 5 as a philia, that is a psychiatric illness where the afflicted are in love with and are sexually aroused by their image as a woman. I have read his article, in which he published this hypothesis, and scientifically it is laughable, especially because he hypothesizes that those, whose answers do not fit the research pattern he predicts, are simply liars. I have also reviewed sample questions from his initial research questionaire which underlies the study. All questions are prefaced by "are you sexually aroused...." allowing for no answers without a reference to sexual arousal. There is a "no" option. Those of the test subjects that used this option, were classified as "liars". The result was that the study showed we are all perverts afflicted by a philia, such as pedophilia, necrophilia etc. We are just above pedophiliacs by the way in public perception.

He is pressing for autogynephilia as a valid diagnosis for the DSM 5. If he succeeds we're screwed.

[StaceyJane]

I would hope that doctors and therapists that actually work with transgendered people will see how wrong that is.

[Cassi3]

I certainly hope it doesn't get approved, it would really be upsetting

[StaceyJane]

Here is a little bit of the Wikipedia article on Reparative Therapy.
This is about converting from gay to straight but I assume transgendered person would be dealt in a simular way.

Anyone who has seen the movie "But I'm A Cheerleader" should reconized this.


"Reparative therapy
Reparative therapy has been used as a synonym for conversion therapy generally, but Jack Drescher has argued that strictly speaking it refers to a specific kind of therapy associated with Elizabeth Moberly and Joseph Nicolosi.[12] Joseph Nicolosi's Reparative Therapy of Male Homosexuality, published in 1991, introduced reparative therapy as a term for psychotherapeutic attempts to convert gay people to heterosexuality.[11]

Douglas C. Haldeman writes that Nicolosi promotes psychoanalytic theories suggesting that homosexuality is a form of arrested psychosexual development, resulting from "an incomplete bond and resultant identification with the same-sex parent, which is then symbolically repaired in psychotherapy".[7] Nicolosi’s intervention plans involve conditioning a man to a traditional masculine gender role. He should "(1) participate in sports activities, (2) avoid activities considered of interest to homosexuals, such [as] art museums, opera, symphonies, (3) avoid women unless it is for romantic contact, (4) increase time spent with heterosexual men in order to learn to mimic heterosexual male ways of walking, talking, and interacting with other heterosexual men, (5) Attend church and join a men’s church group, (6) attend reparative therapy group to discuss progress, or slips back into homosexuality, (7) become more assertive with women through flirting and dating, (8) begin heterosexual dating, (9) engage in heterosexual intercourse, (10) enter into heterosexual marriage, and (11) father children".[72]

Most mental health professionals consider reparative therapy discredited, but it is still practiced by some professionals.[4] Psychoanalysts critical of Nicolosi's theories have offered gay-affirmative approaches as an alternative to reparative therapy.[12][73] Exodus International regards reparative therapy as a useful tool to eliminate "unwanted same-sex attraction." "

[Melody Moore]

I just wonder if these boffins realise how much their own lives are in danger by even suggesting Reparative therapy to a true transsexual?

It really makes me feel really angry towards them just to even hear about this crap!

[CharleneCD]

Nicolosi’s intervention plans involve conditioning a man to a traditional masculine gender role. He should "(1) participate in sports activities,

OMFG. I cant even bear to quote that whole load of B.S. This little snippet covers it though. Anyone who hasnt figured out that gender identity and sexual identity are two different issues is a total quack that should be barred from ever seeing a patient.

[GaleWarning]

Perhaps this is a really good reason why we ought to be working towards the abolition of gender labels?
Can we dare to imagine a world in which there is no fixation on gender?

[Asako]

I just wonder if these boffins realise how much their own lives are in danger by even suggesting Reparative therapy to a true transsexualIf a therapist suggested it to me...I'd drag them out of their office, into their parking lot, and shoot them execution style. X3 I'm kidding about that...mostly. >.> My opinion is that it is a very destructive form of therapy that has the patient denying part of themself and I'm fairly familiar with the fact denial doesn't last forever.


All questions are prefaced by "are you sexually aroused...." allowing for no answers without a reference to sexual arousal. There is a "no" option. Those of the test subjects that used this option, were classified as "liars".How convenient it must be to label any patient that counters their hypothesis as a patient "in denial" of their "true nature", as I'm sure they're all too willing to do.

[Melody Moore]

If a therapist suggested it to me...I'd drag them out of their office, into their parking lot, and shoot them execution style. X3 I'm kidding about that...mostly. >.> My opinion is that it is a very destructive form of therapy that has the patient denying part of themself and I'm fairly familiar with the fact denial doesn't last forever
I was actually thinking about you :uzi:when I posted that comment.

Seriously, this stupid Reparative therapy idea wont even get off first base its that laughable LOL

[celeste26]

Sadly somebody needs to make sure it doesn't get into this next DSVM otherwise we will all suffer. Is there anyone on our side in this gut retching decision making process, someone with enough authority within the psych community that can stop it from happening? Can we offer any support to this person/persons?

[Melody Moore]

Sadly somebody needs to make sure it doesn't get into this next DSVM otherwise we will all suffer. Is there anyone on our side in this gut retching decision making process, someone with enough authority within the psych community that can stop it from happening? Can we offer any support to this person/persons?
I really dont see how they can ignore the fact that about 1 in every 2000 babies are born intersexed and have quite remarkable physical genital abnormalities & deformities that vary from slight to very severe including being fully hermaphrodite. But this is just the some physical evidence that clearly proves that intersexuality as a condition does exist within humans. There are other anomalies in a wide range of degrees that obviously affect different individuals that do occur with us as foetal babies during pregnancy due to sex hormones that affect our development.

Initially our foetal bodies are primed & channelled to be female (hence the reason why males have breasts & nipples) and depending on the exposure to these sex hormones it will affect the gender development of the foetus. The affects of sex hormones during development are varying & can manifest to affect the physiological aspects of our bodies, others can also affect the psychological aspects of our gender identity. I fail to see how modern medical science can ignore this type of evidence that already exists. The problem is noone has been willing to invest the time, money into research into studying these types of conditions & simply choose to ignore it because we are a minority in society.

I know that here in Australia they are obviously doing a lot more about intersexuality & transsexualism than in the US because I have recently been invited to contribute data about my own intersexual condition to a public forum that is about to take place in Sydney & Melbourne with the view of improving our anti-discrimination laws & services for intersexual & transsexual individuals. I personally think this can only improve our situation even more and give us better access to services. Already our country has some of the best anti-discrimination laws & medical services for transgendered people which it already widely recognises - I already get access to free doctors & psychologist & subsided HRT medications, but I think this latest forum will finally convince our government there is also a need for government funded or subsided FFS & SRS. I think our system of diagnoses & management can also serve as a model to the US and other nations who are still in the dark ages with intersexuality & transsexualism as medical conditions & prove that it has been severely mis-managed. I really dont know how they can re-write the DSVM to be effective in the management of such medical conditions without proper consultation of the transgendered community. But keep your eyes on Australia with regards to what is happening in this area of medical science.

[Cindi Johnson]

Like all things in life, the application of medicine (including the DSVM) is to a considerable extent driven by politics. It's always a tug of war between left and right, revolutionaries and reactionaries. Few if any in this world are truly objective, including psychologists and psychiatrists. Gays gained a degree of acceptance by the medical/psychiatric profession only after they fought (yes, fought!!) for their rights. To their disgrace, most of the medical profession brought up the rear on that battle, as they will on ours. It is up to us to fight for our rights through all avenues, including political avenues. Unfortunately, apathy prevails; witness that even a mention of the need to support politicians who support us will generally be immediately deleted by moderators on this website. If we are unwilling to support those few who openly support us, and oppose those many who seek to limit us, then are we really a community??

[Melody Moore]

Cindi, you are right on... you have to stand up for what you believe in and be counted to affect any sort of positive change and I don't think that given the size of this community that there is anywhere enough unity here to do that. Nothing will change if this community doesn't unite & take matters into their own hands as you already have identified.

Right now Im copping flack & being bashed by others in this community on another thread for doing exactly that - standing up for what I believe in.

We all have differing points of view, as we also have different medical conditions and gender disorders that affect us - so if we could only learn to appreciate & see each others view points instead of arguing about them, then I believe a lot more will be achieved as a community. Until this happens there wont be any unity in this community and nothing will change. I wish that some people here werent so ignorant & selfish & would recognise that. Instead of arguing & fighting because I have a difference of opinion, it sure would be nice if we all agree to disagree and work together instead of against each other.

[Naomi Rayne]

The DSM is a growing and ever changing book of "disorders" based on the society we live in. I just did a report on Gender Identity Disorder for my psyche class where i had to base alot of information on the DSM IV. The problem with the Gender Identity stuff in the DSM IV is that it is not very clear cut at all. It is all kind of mashed into one big thing when there are many different forms and cases and stuff. So realistically they are going to have to separate things and do alot of sitting down and discussing on the proper way to diagnose this "disorder". As far as who is on the committee for these changes, we may have a slight problem. But i find it very hard to believe that Blanchard and Zucker are going to be able to get away with the things they are proposing. Especially with CDing and transexuality becoming more and more mainstream as time goes on.

[noeleena]

Hi,

A ? I have is why do many trans spend time talking with or to Psychs in the first place. & in fact what do many know any way. quite frankly nothing half of what they think they know is made up along the way. & is hear say. .

That does not say every one is like that. What we have to realise is we are in control not them . they are there to HELP. no more no less.
As i v said before i did not ask who or what am i , I TOLD them. we need to know who we are what we are if you like .

I spent less than an hour with one Psych & was signed off , in other words get on with you life. he did not need to see me ever again .

& i WOULD NOT spend 6 months or two years talking with any Psychs , what , to be told i know who i am. it was up to me to make sure he knew what i was doing & how i was going to go about it , & that means this is my life & this is what i will do .

I sure dont need Mr Blanchard, or his crew . telling me his line of Bullshit because thats all it is .

Iv read most of what was said in thier report & its not worth the paper its writen on , for me i have a life . it high time he figgered his out , & most of it has nothing to do with trans people because its not in context with real trans people who have lives just they need to be seen in the right way & what we need, not what they think we need, we are the ones who are living the way we are not them.

One good point is iv never heard of our people here in N Z saying any thing about thier idears, Mr Blabchard ,that is ,
& i dought they will because the way i was treated , was more than a person with a problem. you could & i did talk with a friend about any thing . so our Psych & endos were more than helpfull.

I have grave doughts as to why the trans community is not being allowed to partisipate in what they have to say its very one sided to say the least , any way i stand to be corrected if things have changed. as iv not had any thing to do with the A P A , so ill have to have a look.

...noeleena...