Why I don't trust the DSM about sex

[Butterfly]

Why I don't trust the DSM about sex
The Bilerico Project
Filed by: Gloria Brame Ph.D.
February 16, 2010 4:00 PM


http://www.bilerico.com/2010/02/why_i_dont_trust_the_dsm_about_sex.php


I usually stick with visuals here but queries from various people asking my take on the the new DSM revisions, both as a sexologist and a BDSMer myself, prompts me to indulge in a bit of textualization.

I have long opposed the APA's framework for human sexuality, which, as I see it, is still fettered to a long-outdated Judeo-Christian, Victorian, reproductive model of sex (i.e., anything that isn't regular intercourse is suspect, and the further away from man-on-top vaginal penetration, the more suspect it is and the more likely to be viewed as a "disorder"). In other words, I don't believe that consensual adult sex, enjoyed for PLEASURE (and not reproduction) should be listed in the DSM in the first place.

[spacial]

To my mind, the DSM is so intellectually and scientifically outdated on matters of sex that it's almost irrelevant to sex therapists.

I will go further and suggest that the entire field of psychiatry/psychology/ counselling is little more than socio/political garbage.

Mental illness is real. I've worked with patients who are suffering with sever illnesses.

I suggest however, that the criteria should be functioning rather than some random diagnosis which is, in any case, subjective.

Treatment is always based upon symptoms. Treatment should be confined to symptoms that prevent functioning. Moreover, treatment should always be directed toward returning people to the community. If the community is causing the symptoms, such as stressful environments, relationships, then treatment needs to be directed at finding suitable environments.

Debilitating symptoms are rare. Fortunately.

But including within the scope of psychiatry, benign symptoms involving sexual orientation, where this doesn't involve non-consent, is a nonsense.

A nazi nonsense.

[Flan]

My opinion in a nutshell is there isn't really a concrete definition of "normal" sexual activity, because what is a turn on to some isn't to another, and for that matter how often.

(where the dsm is a sort of damned if you do it alot, damned if you don't, see "Female sexual dysfunction", aka frigidity for the 21st century)