A move is afoot to delist GID (gender Identity disorder) from the DSM. Gender roles are largely determined by society and culture. Therefore gender variance is a social problem, not a psychiatric one. Studies have found that gender role variance in itself is not harmfull while corrective measures frequently are.
For those seeking SRS, the 'disorder' definition is crucial to getting insurance companies to pay for it. So for business purposes we are stuck with a mental illness diagnosis that is incorrect.
TG people may have other mental illness to accompany transgenderism. Depression is a frequent companion as are substance abuse problems. PTSD is another problem trans people may have.
Google search terms: GID DSM-IV REFORM for further information.
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- Joanna is a transsexual woman living in San Francisco. She works as a Life Coach at the UCSF/Citywide Forensics program. She has a wicked sense of humour and politically she's so far to the left, ahe's on the right!
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6 comments:
I've been reading alot about Transgenderism and such and honestly have learned so much to the point that my opinions have changed drastically. Sometimes discrimination, stereotypes and social and religious conditioning tampers a persons ability to think outside the box. All I can say is kudos to you for having the courage to do you.
Thanks for your comments, Lola.
It's amazing. You start doing the things you want and being the person you're meant to be and it just gets easier.
'But what will people think???'
I really have no control over what others think of me. It's none of my business.
All I know is that I'm much happier than I've been in a long time. It's right up there with the birth of my daughter!
I'm pleased you've taken an interest in transgenderism. It's a wacky world out there as you've probably discovered. I fall more toward the transexual end of the spectrum.
If you'd like to chat sometime I'm on AIM and YIM as joannatsf.
Blessings,
Joanna
Joanna, who is behind the bid to delist GID from DSM, and what does DSM mean?
Jillian
It's therapists and psychiatrists who work with trans people. I'm aquainted with several and they agree that desiring to be another gender is not in itself a disorder. In fact the whole concept of binary sex assignment is called into question.
Society responds in different way to non-normative gender behaviours in children. A lttle boy that wants to dress and act like his sister creates a good deal of anxiety in his school, parents and psych experts. These same people think nothing of a girl being a tom boy for example.
The problem with delisting it is insurance companies. Their continued support depends on the disease model of gender variance. Without it SRS has no chance of being covered. Hormone therapy would also come out of pocket for TG persons.
The DSM-IV is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Psychiatric Disease, 4th edition. It's the big book of crazyness. The 5th edition is currently in the works
Well, if the therapists and psychiatrists are successful in their attempts to have it delisted, then insurance companies will deem it to be "cosmetic surgery" and won't pay. Hmm. So, why would the therapists and psychiatrists want to rock this particular boat when all it really comes down to is terminology. Hmm. Possible conspiracy here . . .?
Jill
The shrinks are split on this. Both groups, believes that, like homosexuality, TG is not a mental disorder and the stigma associated with mental illness should not be attached to it. One group is of the mind set 'do the right thing' and delist it. The other group favours a more practicle approach to keep health benefits to aid TG people attain their goals of SRS and HRT.
Neither group is hostile toward TG people. There is a minority of shrinks that believe TG like homosexuality is a mental illness.
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