TELL THE APA THAT: TRANSSEXUALISM IS NOT A MENTAL ILLNESS

[Natasha]

TELL THE APA THAT: TRANSSEXUALISM IS NOT A MENTAL ILLNESS

http://womenborntranssexual.com/2010/03/26/tell-the-apa-that-transsexualism-is-not-a-mental-illness/
By suzan
3/26/10

Please sign the Petition at:  http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/assert-transsexualism-is-not-mental-illness

Sponsored by: Henry Hall, FreeGRS.ORG

Overview:

In the belief that transsexualism is not mental illness, we ask that an express statement of that exact sentiment, no more, no less, is to be included in the forthcoming DSM-5 manual from the APA (American Psychiatrists Association). We acknowledge that certain conditions which are not mental disorders, mental illnesses, psychopathologies or abnormalities may be of clinical interest to psychiatrists; in this regard (only) transsexualism is similar to bereavement.

[Griffin]

The DSM also includes items that are caused by physical problems.  So while I agree that it should be listed as a medical condition and not in the DSM, I think this is something that should be pushed with the AMA rather than the APA.

[madisonp]

i never understood why it was considered a disorder to begin with?
You can count my name being on that petition

[pebbles]

i never understood why it was considered a disorder to begin with?
You can count my name being on that petition

It is a disorder, It seriously ->-bleeped-<-s up my life and makes me unhappy O-o that's grounds enough for a disorder. My body and construction of my brain have only ever followed what my genome ordered it to do and that happens to be faulty because they seem to be built in antagonism to each other.

[transnikki]

Gah don't even hurt your head trying to figure it out lol, they're all idiots.  The APA is run by an elitist group of old white foully-educated homophobic sexist bozos.  They actually think racist people have a disorder, its not their fault they use hate speech :-P.  Thank goodness that one didn't get through.

[Dryad]

Actually: I think racist people have a disorder, too. A paranoid delusion disorder mixed with irrelevant and ungrounded fears, leading to a skewed narcissism complex. Maybe put agoraphobia in there, as well. Racist people are nót sane.

In some sense, I do also think 'transsexualism' is a disorder. Let's face it; it's not a majority thing, it's self-destructive in nature, and for some odd reason, the mind/brains malconnects on the grounds of body-image, self-perception and suchwhat.
Good thing there's actually a partial cure for it, though. It's nearly completely curable. Saying it isn't a mental illness or disorder would result in no more help from psychologists, health professionals and surgeons.
In other words: I think it fits the bill.

[LynnER]

GRS and other treatments are already listed by the AMA as medically necessary, and not at all in any way experimental as insurance companies claim. Unfortunately what the AMA states is only a guideline.

[Griffin]

GRS and other treatments are already listed by the AMA as medically necessary, and not at all in any way experimental as insurance companies claim. Unfortunately what the AMA states is only a guideline.

Also, insurance companies do not cover things by virtue of medical necessity alone.  They typically axe higher-cost surgeries and treatments across the board.  And very few have formal coverage policies.  Cigna does, and has the highest rate of payment for GCS/GRS/SRS.

While I understand the sentiment of "I'm not crazy," few people understand what the DSM actually has in it.  Autism, alzheimer's-related illness, physical diseases, etc.  Very few therapists believe that trans people are crazy.

I'm more offended by us being considered even vaguely similar to guys who masturbate while wearing lingerie.  Not that there's anything wrong with that, but spanking it is not a mental illness and doesn't cause broad-spectrum problems.

I'll go toe-to-toe with anyone here: we've ALL had negative psychological symptoms because of being trans.  All of us.  Depression, despair, hopelessness, substance abuse, anxiety, PTSD -- all caused by being forced to live in the wrong gender.  And transition can cause a MAJOR adjustment disorder, not because it's wrong, but because it's a change in life circumstance.

[Dryad]

Also, insurance companies do not cover things by virtue of medical necessity alone.  They typically axe higher-cost surgeries and treatments across the board.  And very few have formal coverage policies.  Cigna does, and has the highest rate of payment for GCS/GRS/SRS.

I'm happy to be Dutch.

[Griffin]

I'm happy to be Dutch.

Sometimes I wish I were Dutch too. =)

[gennee]

We are normal like everyone else. We may not fit into the narrow gender binary system that's been constructed but we are normal. It's the way we were created. I don't even worry about what they think of me.

Gennee