Posted by yxibow on March 16, 2007, at 1:37:28 [reposted on March 24, 2007, at 22:46:33 | original URL]
In reply to Homosexuality is an 'adjustment disorder' » one woman cine, posted by Quintal on March 15, 2007, at 15:48:40
> >Homosexuality doesn't need to be cured and psychiatry isn't pretending it's normal. Because it is normal & that's the general scientific consensus from biologists to physicians.
What defines normality? Nobody is perfect and its just debasing oneself to consider themselves completely unnormal. I mean coming out to yourself takes a leap but when you do, it is such an incredible relief.
> Homosexuality clearly isn't normal (it may be acceptable in many circles, but not normal), and I don't know of any biologists or physicians that would categorize it as such. ADHD and low mood don't need to be cured either; they could be considered a normal variation of human behaviour, yet in modern psychiatry they are pathogenized, categorized as disorders that should be treated because of the impairment and pain they cause to a person wanting to be a successful and respectable member of society. I don't see why homosexuality shouldn't be classified as such. In my view it's only political correctness that's standing in the way.ADHD can be mitigated just like any biochemical disorder, but like OCD and other illnesses it rarely is "cured."
And for normal, well look at pictures of primates or rhinoceroses or whatever, and you'll find gay animals as well, or at least carrying out homosexual acts.
In part you may have a point about political correctness, but I would put that in the venue of genetic research that could possibly one day "eliminate" homosexuality.Because I know damn sure its genetic -- I wouldn't create a life that is harder to find a partner than the social "norm" around you. You're subject to a harsh rebuke, a punch in the nose, or hate crime murder if you make a pass at someone just by faulty "gaydar."
But in retrospect, at the same time it has been an interesting, a growing up experience that finally allowed me to feel more free and meet a totally different culture and ethos.
And yes, what would I think if the multiple genes and environmental and womb factors created a genetic therapy for being gay -- I don't know, since I was born before a generation that is only beginnning to be mainstream about it in western countries. Its all I have known physically for nearly twenty years.
But you could also think of it in some ways (yes, some gay couples do have children by surrogate or 'test tube' (females) babies) as a population control on the planet which is already reeling from countries where people have way too many children because they think they will die early of disease or need them to tend the farm and take care of them in their dotage, or for religious reasons. And where its allowed, wonderful for adoption of unwanted babies which might end up murdered in some countries.> >Because it is normal & that's the general scientific consensus from biologists to physicians.
>
> My old pdoc told me "that isn't something we usually treat" when I told him my sexual orientation. It was clear by his expression and tone of voice that he regretted more aggressive treatments for homosexuality were not at his disposal. I'm sure many heterosexual psychiatrists hold similar views but don't speak them out of fear of litigation and losing their job - peer pressure I suppose.
Well I had a bastard of a psychologist when I was 12 and finally revealed my sexuality to my parents about 15, who thought at the time that "one doesn't know at that age", but I sure did" -- anyhow after initial reaction both of my parents started to accept it and now even point out news stories, etc.This heavily Christian-influenced (and I mean in the political sense from what I recall, this isn't a bash of all Christians) psychologist tried to get me to "focus" on women in my masturbatory fantasies.
It was gross incompetence, since my subsequent horror of a YBOCS of 39 OCD was triggered by puberty and discovery of my own sexuality. I was so fearful I even believed that people at school would know I had masturbated about men that day. The OCD waxed and waned but basically destroyed the last year of high school with excruciatingly long showers and ended up with a hospital stay and being in a day treatment program.
It is still mentioned as a adjustment disorder in the DSM.> Q
Homosexuality is not mentioned in DSM-IV/DSM-IV-TR
It was removed in 1986 entirely and in DSM-III was only mentioned as "sexual disorders not otherwise specified", which was "persistent and marked distress about one's sexual orientation."
(http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html)
poster:yxibow
thread:743844
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070322/msgs/743876.html