British Psychological Society joins critics of proposed DSM-V revisions |
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Lynn Conway notes: Despite significant criticism, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders continues to move toward codifying dangerous concepts for sex and gender minorities. The British Psychological Society had just joined in criticizing the entire DSM as being based on unsound methods, and recommends sweeping changes in its formulation. In a 26-page document, they write:
As stated in our general comments, we are concerned that clients and the general public are negatively affected by the continued and continuous medicalisation of their natural and normal responses to their experiences; responses which undoubtedly have distressing consequences which demand helping responses, but which do not reflect illnesses so much as normal individual variation.
We believe that classifying these problems as ‘illnesses’ misses the relational context of problems and the undeniable social causation of many such problems. For psychologists, our well-being and mental health stem from our frameworks of understanding of the world, frameworks which are themselves the product of the experiences and learning through our lives.
Of particular concern to sex and gender minorities, they write of two specific “disorders”:
Gender dysphoria
Of particular concern are the subjective and socially normative aspects of sexual behaviour. We are very concerned at the inclusion of children and adolescents in this area. There is controversy in this particular area – the concept of a ‘diagnosis’ of a ‘psychiatric disorder’ disputed.
Labelling people who need help as ‘ill’ may make supportive and therapeutic responses more difficult.Paraphilias
Again, of particular concern are the subjective and socially normative aspects of sexual behaviour. It is a matter of record that homosexuality used to be considered a symptom of illness. The Society would not be able to support considering sexual differences as symptoms of illness.
We, finally, have severe misgivings about the inclusion of “Paraphilic Coercive Disorder” in the appendix. Rape is a crime, not a disorder. Such behaviours can, of course, be understood, but we disagree that such a pattern of behaviour could be considered a disorder, and we would have grave concerns that such views may offer a spurious and unscientific defence to a rapist in a criminal trial.
If you’d like to comment on this fiasco, APA has extended time for commentaries to July 15, according to Vibe Grevsen at LGBT Danmark.
Further reading:
Response to the American Psychiatric Association: DSM-5 Development”
My comment on the DSM-V proposals
http://www.tsroadmap.com/notes/index.php/site/comments/my_comment_on_the_dsm_v_proposals/