Do you know what time it is? It’s time for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to be updated!
Okay, sure, that doesn’t sound particularly interesting, but think on this: the DSM (currently on version four) currently lists the following things as mental illnesses: gender identity disorder (aka being transgender), transvestism (sorry, crossdressers), sexual sadism, sexual masochism… yeah. Oh, and it wasn’t too long ago that homosexuality was listed as a disorder too — which may not seem like such a big deal (it’s just some words in a book, right?), but can have serious repercussions.
The update of the DSM could be awesome (stupid diagnoses removed!) or it could be bad (more stupid diagnoses added!). Let’s all hope it’s the former. Seriously.
[Via Naked City]
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There was an episode of This American Life about just this very topic. The 81 words that defined homosexuality as a mental illness and the battle to have them removed. Really fascinating hour of radio.
http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=204
For me, I do wonder if some kinds of kink are expressions of mental illness for people. Not that enjoying a good spanking or ladies undergarments for the boys makes you mad, but that people who are suffering from other, deeper disorders (Bi-Polar, Depression) use kink as a form of acting out rather than a way of enjoying themselves.
Some folks self-medicate with booze, others with BDSM.
May 25th, 2008 at 5:10 amLeave a reply :