Is “Gender Identity Disorder” an Appropriate Psychiatric Diagnosis?
In issue 7, the question being asked is whether or not Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is an appropriate psychiatric diagnosis and whether or not it should be included in the DSM anymore. Mercedes Allen, an educator, trainer, and founder of AlbertaTrans.org, does recognize GID as a psychiatric disorder and argues that if the removal of this diagnosis occurs, there is a possibility of harming the trans community and leaving them without medical care or treatment. On the other side of the argument is Kelly Winters, a writer and founder of GID Reform Advocates. Winters argues that the inclusion of GID in the DSM adds a stigma that a trasperson faces and will continue to face.
Allen begins her argument by explaining how homosexuality got removed from the DSM and how this started a movement for gay and lesbian rights. Although she views this as a positive move towards equality, she also believes that removing GID from the DSM could be more harm than good. By removing GID from the DSM, medical opportunities might also be removed. For most transpersons, this diagnosis validates their reasons for receiving medical surgeries and not just viewing them as cosmetic procedures. There is also a lot that goes into figuring out who you are when you are gender confused. It is not just wanting to change your body it is viewing yourself as how you internally feel.
Winters begins her argument with stating facts from the DSM and how certain diagnoses continue to raise questions of consistency, validity, and fairness. She believes that certain categories have made the diagnosis of certain disorders ambiguous and overinclusive. The main point of her argument is that many of the disorders cause negative stereotypes on gender. She also states that the name suggests a negative connotation to begin with.
Personally I could not choose who won this debate in full mostly because I agree with both of the arguments. While Winters pulled the string of my emotional side, Allen won on the logical side. Yes people with this disorder can view the diagnosis as something that may cause a negative connotation on who they are but on the other hand it helps them with medical procedures and psychiatric help. Even then, some people may not find anything wrong with themselves, they just know that they are different.