Posted by laima on March 1, 2007, at 21:02:01
In reply to Re: Diagnoses, interesting and otherwise, posted by Quintal on March 1, 2007, at 20:30:09
Well, I am relieved to hear that you guys weren't suggesting "being gay" in and of itself is an illness. Of course I realize that the gay population has suffered greatly from prejudices and the like, as you have explained.Seems to me "being gay" was removed from dsm on the grounds that "being gay" is not a pathological condition in and of itself. Ie, it is not something inherently in need of any fixing or curing. What could ultimately stand some fixing or curing would be some societal attitudes, instead, I'd say. I don't believe there was any denial that it could cause suffering.
I can't prove it, but my rough impression is that there has been a general positive trend to stop considering individuals and populations who don't fit the dominant societies' social values or norms as "ill". And that instead, there has been more attention placed on looking at how an individual is able to function, feel, and think- are they hallucinating? Are they wildly and undeniably delusional? Are moods appropriate? Are they coherent? Are they safe to themselves and others? Are they self destructive? That sort of thing.
No, DSM still not perfect. Far from it. The recent addition of "internet addiction" as a separate category, in particular, perpexes me. Why isn't that a manifestation of some kind of avoidance or procrastination, instead? Or just plain a behavioral addiction, or compulsion? Ie, why not a type of OCD? I don't understand.
poster:laima
thread:737261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070224/msgs/737481.html