APA STATEMENT ON GID AND THE DSM
May 9, 2008
The American Psychiatric Association has received inquiries about the
DSM-V process, particularly concerns raised about the Sexual and
Gender Identity Disorders Work Group.
The APA has a long-standing mission to provide guidelines for the
diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, based on the most
current clinical and scientific knowledge. Through advocacy and
education of the public and policymakers, the APA also affirms it
commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination.
The DSM addresses criteria for the diagnosis of mental disorders.
The DSM does not provide treatment recommendations or guidelines.
The APA is aware of the need for greater scientific and clinical
consensus on the best treatments for individuals with Gender Identity
Disorder (GID). Toward that end, the APA Board of Trustees voted to
create a special APA Task Force to review the scientific and clinical
literature on the treatment of GID. It is expected that members of
the Task Force will be appointed shortly.
There are 13 DSM-V work groups. Collectively, the work group members
will review all existing diagnostic categories in the current DSM.
Each work group will be able to make proposals to revise existing
diagnostic criteria, to consider new diagnostic categories, and to
suggest deleting existing diagnostic categories.
All DSM-V work group proposals will be based on a careful, balanced
review and analysis of the best clinical and scientific data.
Evidence accumulated from work group members and hundreds of
additional advisors to the DSM-V effort will be considered before
final recommendations are made.
The Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group, chaired by
Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D., will have 13 members who will form three
subcommittees:
* Gender Identity Disorders, chaired by Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis, Ph.D.
* Paraphilias, chaired by Ray Blanchard, Ph.D.
* Sexual Dysfunctions, chaired by R. Taylor Segraves, M.D., Ph.D.
