Why GID Must Be Removed From the DSM

[Shana A]

Why GID Must Be Removed From the DSM
09/03/2009 — Suzan

http://womenborntranssexual.com/2009/09/03/why-gid-must-be-removed-from-the-dsm/

Gender Identity Disorder is a fiction.  It was created to allow the psychiatric profession to bill insurance companies.  For reference see Deborah Rudacille's Riddle of Gender which explains both why and how it was placed in the DSM.  See also Phyllis Burke's  Gender Shock.

As for medical insurance covering either the year of psychotherapy or SRS:  For them to cover this presumes it is a new condition that struck after one was already covered by the insurance and not a pre-existing condition.

As far back as 1970 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California were denying coverage to any transsexual who had come out prior to seeking coverage.  They also denied it to those who were obviously transsexual and who went seeking coverage prior to transitioning.

[Tammy Hope]

I'm confused. Are we supposed to NOT want any insurance to cover our cost of transition?

And if it's NOT a "disorder" then wherefore is there a need for "treatment" (which is what therapy and HRT and surgery IS, right?)

why is there a stigma attached to defining it as a disorder?

to be sure, I can understand why one would object to the notion of "repairative therapy" to try to "cure" it. But I don't get the reasoning that suggests, or so it seems to me, that it isn't a disorder at all.

[tekla]

Not all cases are so extreme as to cause extreme measures to be taken, for those people they don't want to see it as a disorder, but part of the normal course of life.

[Miniar]

Insurance companies don't want to treat "pre existing" conditions, to them it's like covering a house fire that happened before you insured your house.
Mind you.. that's not how human health works.. but health-insurance isn't about health, it's about profit.

[Hannah]

Health plans cover lots of things that aren't in the dsm, and that vary in medical necessity among individuals. Gastric bypass and abdominoplasties come to mind as they total about what srs does.

I've never met a psychologist worth her salt who considers the dsm any more than a loose guide. I'd agree with the general message of the article that gid needs to be removed, but really for a book which used to list homosexuality I think we lend it a little too much credibility.

For that matter we need to stop putting up with insurance companies and drive the stake of public option through their dead, blood sucking hearts.

[Julie Marie]

I agree GID has to be removed from the DSM.  I also think it's important that the word "disorder" is no longer used in reference to people who are TG.

The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care can be used until something better is created.  And that basically says no HRT until you've been in therapy for three months or more (no minimum number of visits required) and you need two letters for GRS.  That should put most medical professionals at ease when it comes to liability.

As for getting insurance coverage for our medical needs, the AMA has issued a statement that the insurance companies should cover that.  I know that doesn't mean they will but it's a start.  At least it opens discussion.

We still have a long way to go but things are in place that will make that road easier to pave.  But we need to focus on ridding ourselves of being listed in a book of disorders.

Julie