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May 9, 2008
The American Psychiatric Association has received inquiries about the DSM-V process, particularly concerns raised about the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group.
The APA has a long-standing mission to provide guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, based on the most current clinical and scientific knowledge. Through advocacy and education of the public and policymakers, the APA also affirms it commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination.
The DSM addresses criteria for the diagnosis of mental disorders. The DSM does not provide treatment recommendations or guidelines. The APA is aware of the need for greater scientific and clinical consensus on the best treatments for individuals with Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Toward that end, the APA Board of Trustees voted to create a special APA Task Force to review the scientific and clinical literature on the treatment of GID. It is expected that members of the Task Force will be appointed shortly.
There are 13 DSM-V work groups. Collectively, the work group members will review all existing diagnostic categories in the current DSM. Each work group will be able to make proposals to revise existing diagnostic criteria, to consider new diagnostic categories, and to suggest deleting existing diagnostic categories.
All DSM-V work group proposals will be based on a careful, balanced review and analysis of the best clinical and scientific data. Evidence accumulated from work group members and hundreds of additional advisors to the DSM-V effort will be considered before final recommendations are made.
The Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group, chaired by Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D., will have 13 members who will form three subcommittees:
* Gender Identity Disorders, chaired by Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis, Ph.D.
* Paraphilias, chaired by Ray Blanchard, Ph.D.
* Sexual Dysfunctions, chaired by R. Taylor Segraves, M.D., Ph.D.
Each subcommittee will pursue its own charge, provide ongoing peer review, and consult with outside experts. The DSM-V is expected to be published in 2012.”
(This was a response given to Jessica L. off of Susans.org Forums)
May 15, 2008 at 12:28 am
I am just wondering, are you happy with what is quoted above? It seems to be a rational response, although I can see that part of the problem is inherent in the terminology GID, I can also see the need to catagorise in order to study something. Perhaps we just have to trust the APA?
May 15, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Thats the part I have problems with.
You see, Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis is a trans supportive person, and she’s chairing the Gender Identity Disorders group, which is great… However Blanchard and Zucker consider transsexuality a paraphilia, and there is a real risk that they will try to move the classification of GID under paraphilia’s.
The inclusion of Zucker and Blanchard on this board at all is fucked up, but to have them in such positions of power is super-fucked up.
As for just ‘trusting the APA’… not happening. Not if they think that Zucker or Blanchard should be anywhere near trans people.
May 21, 2008 at 2:45 am
While I may choose different descriptors, I agree with Ryan. The selection of such a collection of pseudo-clinicians as Zucker, Blanchard and Bailey seems to smack of of appeasement to some higher governing body rather than a respect for objective science. This has the neo-con’s fingerprints all over it and seems to want to set the understanding of GID back 50 years. Peggy T. Cohen Kettenis is Great, but I also suggest Doctors Norman Spack and Diane Ehrensaft to the panels, elevating Peggy Cohen Kettenis to overall committee Chair.
May 24, 2008 at 5:49 am
so far 6300 people have signed a petition, expressing their disgust and anger at the APA for putting Zucker and Blanchard anywhere near even the conversation about what the DSM should or should not say
To say they are discredited is the understatement of the century
They are the bane of transgendered people world wide and we, as a group are going to keep demanding their resignation or removal
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/412001300
Yes, I am the one that began this petition, but it is not about me, it is about the thousands yet to be hurt by the discounted methods of these two men.
Avoid a cranial-rectal inversion and do the RIGHT thing here.
The next step will be people carrying signs at your front door
with the press…
The APA is NOT going to do this to us.
July 15, 2008 at 1:26 pm
[...] The Comments Policy or “Ryan is Control Freak” July 15, 2008 — Ryan A charmer called ‘Rachel’ posted a comment on my post about the DSM-V. [...]