Is Transsexuality a real disorder?

[Valerie Elizabeth]

I want to know how people feel on transsexuality and whether or not they feel it is a real disorder.

So, do you feel that Gender Identity Disorders are real disorders?  If yes, can you explain it, if no, please explain it too.

Thank you!

[imaz]

No, I don't myself

AFAIK it is a disorder for the simple reason that it's in DSM-IV which says it all really... If enough of us were rich and powerful enough it would be out of there as fast as homosexuality was.

That said of course being TS/TG can aggravate other potential or existing psychological issues for obvious reasons.

Hope that helps

[FairyGirl]

Not sure if transsexuality is a disorder, it seems that would be the cure. The disorder would be Gender Identity Disorder, which to me expresses itself as an overwhelming disparity or dysphoria between mind and body. It's obvious that this is the source of great depression in many people afflicted. Of course there is a debate about whether it's a disorder at all, but anything that causes such feelings to me would mean something's out of whack somewhere. Homosexuals don't feel that incongruity between mind and body, they're perfectly happy in their own skin. In me it manifested as a profound sadness that colored everything I did, which I guess by another name could be called depression, but it becomes subconscious after a while so that you may not even realize the source of it, it's just like your whole life isn't what it should or could be. The cure then, such as it is, would be in transitioning or realigning one's body to match what the brain feels. I guess that's not really helpful, but anyway that's my totally unprofessional take on it.

Post Merge: April 27, 2009, 09:19:54 AM
Just saw this posted by Zythyra https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59212.msg376613/topicseen.html#msg376613

It may be relevant to your question. It's about suicide and thoughts thereof among those who identify as trans. I guess the worst suicidal feelings have ever affected me is type 2, ideation with a plan (playing with a razor while drunk doesn't count). Still, it wasn't because of anything society dictated, which would call into question whether it was a disorder or just social pressure, but it was because of the pain I felt in my own soul.

[Miniar]

The way I see it, a mental problem is a "disorder" when it begins to affect your ability to live a "normal" life adversely, as such, I do believe that for a lot of people GID is an active disorder.
I, for one, feel unable to live a fully functional life as a woman.

[Steph]

touché Fairygirl! TS is the cure and it seems the only major source of grief & despair for most lies in a timely GID diagnosis!

If left unchecked, untreated it can definitely be considered "a highly degenerative disease" but then again, au contrar & on the other hand, there's probably worse crosses with lessor rewards that one could indeed have to bear!

Agree... The disorder comes from how a person identifies their gender.  Which brings us to what normal is.  I guess it would be safe to say that it is normal for ones mind to identify with the gender of it's body and if there was congruency the mind would be considered in an ordered state.  However if ones mind sees that it is in the wrong body, in-congruent, then I suppose one could consider the mind as being in a disordered state.

So is it a disorder treatable with psychotherapy or a physical condition, treatable with medications and surgical interventions.  I think that most think it is both and as such get upset when the condition is listed as it is in the DSM-IV.

-={LR}=-

[tekla]

So is it a disorder treatable with psychotherapy or a physical condition, treatable with medications and surgical interventions.  I think that most think it is both and as such get upset when the condition is listed as it is in the DSM-IV

Of course, not listing it in the DSM means that zero money will be available for treatments of any sort, short of out of pocket. 

[Arch]

I don't like to think of it as a disorder. Why can't it be a normal biological variation? Of course, then we can reasonably say that if it's not a disorder, it shouldn't be treated. Or that treatment is purely cosmetic and optional. And, therefore, that medical insurance shouldn't cover it.

I say we should treat society instead. Who's on board with me? 

[imaz]

I don't like to think of it as a disorder. Why can't it be a normal biological variation? Of course, then we can reasonably say that if it's not a disorder, it shouldn't be treated. Or that treatment is purely cosmetic and optional. And, therefore, that medical insurance shouldn't cover it.

I say we should treat society instead. Who's on board with me? 

I am

Society unfortunately moves with the speed of a glacier...

[tekla]

Society unfortunately moves with the speed of a glacier

Depends on which society you are talking about.  Some favor change, worship at the alter of 'progress' while others prefer a more static and unchanging norm.

But, if the root deal - as many here would suggest - is that the body does not match the mind, then all the social change in the world is not going to matter one iota, because no amount of social change is going to change that basic perception.

[Rhye]

Transsexuality is a disorder because it needs to be medically remedied. ->-bleeped-<- is a variation I guess; I'd be inclined to call it a disorder but since a lot of people are comfortable being trans maybe that's not the case.

[Steph]

From the Standards of Care...

Are Gender Identity Disorders Mental Disorders?

To qualify as a mental disorder, a behavioral pattern must result in a significant adaptive disadvantage to the person or cause personal mental suffering. The DSM-IV and ICD-10 have defined hundreds of mental disorders which vary in onset, duration, pathogenesis, functional disability, and treatability. The designation of gender identity disorders as mental disorders is not a license for stigmatization, or for the deprivation of gender patients' civil rights. The use of a formal diagnosis is often important in offering relief, providing health insurance coverage, and guiding research to provide more effective future treatments.

-={LR}=-

[placeholdername]

I just read that part today.

I think the issue is more about the stigmatization of 'mental disorders'.  I mean, PTSD is a mental disorder, so are many other things that no one should feel ashamed about having.  We're mostly brought up to believe that everyone should be capable of being self-sufficient functional human beings (who will do work for money), but the reality is that not everyone lives up to that standard all of the time, and there really isn't anything wrong with that.

[Rhye]

I do agree about that, Ketsy. There are people who are ashamed to seek help for things as common (and serious) as depression because certain other people see it as 'in your head', not a valid issue. It's sad.

[sd]

Of course, not listing it in the DSM means that zero money will be available for treatments of any sort, short of out of pocket.

Which is once concern I have.
Yes it should be moved from the DSM, as it's not mental in that way, but removing it, leaves us nowhere. It needs to be changed in the minds of doctors, then removed from the DSM.

Many of us pay for most of it out of pocket anyhow though.

[placeholdername]

What does removing it from the DSM accomplish? (not trying to make a statement, just wondering)

[NicholeW.]

What does removing it from the DSM accomplish? (not trying to make a statement, just wondering)

O, that tends to accomplish the important objective of having people who have very passionate feelings about mental health being a sign of "craziness" or of "being less than" the opportunity to show everyone that they are not crazy because, "see there, it's NOT a mental illness."

Nothing wrong with that. I am really not seeing that it is a "mental illness," never have. It's a medical condition, a biological condition, an intersex condition, the disparagement and embarrassment of which in context of our socio-cultural milieu has meant fear and loathing for both the self and from others when it is made known.

Such situations lead to low self-esteem, harrassment, disparagement and other things that lead to the mental illnesses of depressions, anxieties and in accompaniment with real physical and emotional abuse also lead to instances of PTSD all of which are mental illnesses. And that's not mentioning agoraphobia and reclusive living that have their own difficulties.

Nichole

[imaz]

Well said Nichole