Psychiatry expert: ‘scientifically there is no such thing as transgender’

[Shana A]

Psychiatry expert: 'scientifically there is no such thing as transgender'

by Thaddeus Baklinski
Tue Jan 15, 2013 19:02 EST

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/psychiatry-expert-scientifically-there-is-no-such-thing-as-transgender

OTTAWA, January 11, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A prominent Toronto psychiatrist has severely criticized the assumptions underlying what has been dubbed by critics as the Canadian federal government's "bathroom bill," that is, Bill C-279, a private member's bill that would afford special protection to so-called "transgender" men and women.

Dr. Joseph Berger has issued a statement saying that from a medical and scientific perspective there is no such thing as a "transgendered" person, and that terms such as "gender expression" and "gender identity" used in the bill are at the very least ambiguous, and are more an emotional appeal than a statement of scientific fact.

Berger, who is a consulting psychiatrist in Toronto and whose list of credentials establishes him as an expert in the field of mental illness, stated that people who identify themselves as "transgendered" are psychotic or simply unhappy, and pointed out that hormone therapy and surgery are not appropriate treatments for psychosis or unhappiness.

"From a scientific perspective, let me clarify what 'transgendered' actually means," Dr. Berger said, adding, "I am speaking now about the scientific perspective – and not any political lobbying position that may be proposed by any group, medical or non-medical."

[Annah]

Another idiot mistaking the word transsexual with transgender...awesome...
I didn't bother reading pass that..

I dont use the word transsexual...i use transgender.

While I totally disagree with the Psychiatrist and his beliefs, I understood what he meant by the word "transgender" because many medical professionals use the word transgender now...including my therapists, doctors, endo.

[DanicaCarin]

   So basically, all of the SCIENTIFIC studies showing a distinct difference in the size of various regions of the brain in "Trans" folks is just nonsense? All of the information "we" have about gender & sexuality is nothing but nonsense?  Its just a bunch of "unhappy people" trying to cause trouble?

The sooner the AMA takes over the "Trans" domain, the better! There seems to be enough valid science showing transgender is a neurological condition verses a psychological condition, that "tools" like this should be laughed out of the room!

[Sarah Louise]

I guess he's entitled to his opinion.

But for something that doesn't exist, we sure go through a lot of work, grief and expense.

I also have the right to totally refuse to accept his opinion.

[Annah]

i am sure he has other agendas too

[suzifrommd]

Berger, who is a consulting psychiatrist in Toronto and whose list of credentials establishes him as an expert in the field of mental illness, stated that people who identify themselves as "transgendered" are psychotic or simply unhappy, and pointed out that hormone therapy and surgery are not appropriate treatments for psychosis or unhappiness.

And I suppose he's got a more successful treatment for us "unhappy" people. If so, out with it, man! We're all waiting eagerly for that new therapy and statistics that show that it works.

[suzifrommd]

I guess he's entitled to his opinion.

Well, yes, but he's not entitled to represent it as scientific fact. As a scientist, isn't it his duty to represent as fact only conclusions that can be backed up by evidence and observation?

[peky]

First, like I said in other threads, scientifically speaking "psychiatry as practiced today" is an empiric art rather than a fact-based field of medicine, and it is quickly being repalced by a combination of neurobiology, neurology, and neuropharmacology.

This old man, whose last education was completed in 1966 has a long historical track of being a homophobe and transphobe.

see this link dating back to 1979 http://www.theinterim.com/issues/marriage-family/toronto-board-about-to-adopt-%E2%80%9Cgay%E2%80%9D-agenda/

If any body wants to send him a good wish card, you may do so at;

4430 Bathurst Street
Suite 501 - 4430 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M3H 3S3

[peky]

Well, yes, but he's not entitled to represent it as scientific fact. As a scientist, isn't it his duty to represent as fact only conclusions that can be backed up by evidence and observation?

He is not a scientists, he is a psychiatrist. Psychiatry is mostly based on empirical conjunctions not in facts. The abysmal failure of psychiatry is clearly proved by their inability to cure a single mental health issue.

Most of modern mental health issues are treated by drugs: as in ADD (amphetamines), depression (serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), etc., etc,

[suzifrommd]

Well, he's not even a psychiatrist. Google search for "joseph berger" and psychiatrist. No hits. Changed to "berger joseph", also no hits. Tried both combos with Toronto (but not psychiatrist). Again, no hits. Can't be as prominent a psychiatrist as the article claims.

Also, it appears the article has been taken down from the original site even though a link still appears on the front page.

The site seems to be a right wing religious propaganda site designed to spread fear and suspicion about LGBT.

[crazy at the coast]

He's apparently written for NARTH too. No surprise there. He claims to have never seen a single case of innate homosexuality too. He's one of those kind of dr. people, the one's with their head in the sand.

[DanicaCarin]

 

I may be a Trans Person, but I suspect I have more "Grace" in my little toe than most of these hard core religious frauds! These "people" lie day in & day out to advance their agenda. They will smear anyone & everyone to make themselves feel good. I figure that when I "meet my maker", I will be able to express that as flawed as I was, I tried to be a good, honest, & decent Human being! Yeah, I used man made hormones to change my body to fit my mind, but I tried in every way possible to be a force for "GOOD" whenever I had a chance!

[peky]

So I look to this old man for any peer-review publications IN THE MEDICAL DATABASES, and I can only come up with one dating back to 94.

A couple of things worth noting about his paper:

First, his paper is published in the "American Journal of Psychotherapists" not the most scientifically rigorously publication. AJP is sort of clearing house for psychological therapists rather than a journal for MD-level research

Second, note that he does not have any association with any medical or  academic organization. he does not have any teaching post or is member of any hospital at the time of this publication Nor I believe he has any now.

Third, his conclusions are based solely on his observations

Fourth, his speculation that: "A possible aetiological factor that has not been mentioned before in the literature is discussed, namely, the abortion of a pregnancy caused by the male patient that may have led to his "coming out" or declaring his homosexuality" is PROPSTEROUS! JUST THIS STAEMENT MAKES ME THINK THIS IS A MAD MAN SPEAKING...A CERTIFIABLE LUNATIC

Am J Psychother. 1994 Spring;48(2):251-61.
The psychotherapeutic treatment of male homosexuality.
Berger J.
Abstract
This paper discusses aspects of the aetiology and treatment of male homosexuality, a topic that has become quite controversial in recent years. The paper is based on material from the author's patients, and also notes the contributions of others. In spite of many reports of successful treatment outcomes, some people continue to deny such results. This paper confirms that such patients can indeed be understood and treated successfully. A possible aetiological factor that has not been mentioned before in the literature is discussed, namely, the abortion of a pregnancy caused by the male patient that may have led to his "coming out" or declaring his homosexuality. Three main conclusions are reached. First, that some people who have had homosexual fantasies, behaviors, or identified themselves as homosexual, can become comfortably and fulfillingly heterosexual with psychotherapeutic treatment. Second, that human sexuality is not rigidly compartmentalized into either hetero- or homosexuality but varies on a continuous spectrum, and is affected in any individual by psychodynamic influences. Third, that before "coming out," young people, especially teenagers, should have the opportunity to explore their sexual identity with a psychodynamically oriented psychotherapist

[BunnyBee]

Lost me at "treatment of homosexuality."   I don't think doctors that believe in or pursue such things will ever be taken seriously by the public.  They exist solely as a political tool for the lunatic fringe.

[Rita]

I think the base of his argument is,

"Bring me your money"

[Zumbagirl]

You copied an article from life site news and expected it to be accurate?? It's a right wing christian news site with a history of being anti-gay, anti-trans, etc. They use the web site to publish propaganda papers (I mean fake scientific studies) in hopes that other new outlets will deep link to this story like google news. If there is no such thing as transgender, then where is the real peer reviewed science? Then it can be debated, until then he's just another kook. Sometimes I swear that a college diploma and credentials makes one "stunningly" stupid instead of just goddam stupid.

[aleon515]

NARTH, now there's a scientific and respected group!
NOT.

--Jay

[~RoadToTrista~]

Haven't they already cut transgender people's brains open and confirmed differences in neurons or whatever?

[Devlyn]

Yeah, and let me tell you, it stings something awful!

[Arch]

Well, he's not even a psychiatrist. Google search for "joseph berger" and psychiatrist. No hits. Changed to "berger joseph", also no hits. Tried both combos with Toronto (but not psychiatrist). Again, no hits. Can't be as prominent a psychiatrist as the article claims.

I googled him and got a ton of hits. That doesn't mean he knows what he's doing, of course, but he's hardly a phantom.