DSM Revision Petition
Target:
American Psychiatric Association
Sponsored by:
The DSM Revision Petition is gathering signatures from individuals and organizations calling on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to require that all diagnoses in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) be based on empirical research. The DSM Revision Petition will collect signatures from June 2008 through December 2009.
The DSM Revision Petition is gathering signatures from individuals and organizations calling on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to require that all diagnoses in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) be based on empirical research. The DSM Revision Petition will collect signatures from June 2008 through December 2009.
We, the undersigned, support the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) own goal of making its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) a scientific document, based on empirical research and devoid of cultural bias. A diagnosis of a mental disorder can have a severe adverse impact on employment opportunities, child custody determinations, an individual's well-being, and other areas of functioning. Therefore we urge the APA to remove all diagnoses that are not based upon peer-reviewed, empirical research, demonstrating distress or dysfunction, from the DSM. The APA specifically should not promote current social norms or values as a basis for clinical judgments.
We signed the "DSM Revision Petition" petition!
# 2,105:
6:54 am PDT, Jul 2,
Name not displayed, Maryland
# 2,104:
7:19 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Dawn Austin, New Hampshire
I am a psychiatric nurse, an RN. I've seen both the assistance and the stigma that the label of mental illness can bring to a person's life. While in many instances, these labels can and do help my patients get the help that they so desperately need, there are some things through the ages that have been incorrectly labeled as mental illnesses. Homosexuality, paganism, and even being a strong outspoken and intelligent woman have all at times been thought to belong under the 'mental illness' umbrella. I feel that being kinky, or engaging in safe, sane, consentual, adult activities that simply don't happen to fit the mainstream definition of 'normal sexual activities and turn ons' is just wrong. If these things stay within the above boundaries...then who are a panel of DSMV personnel to give those individuals the stigma and burden of being mentally ill? Please think before you assign us labels. Please let the labels be the tools they are meant to be, and not become the scarlet letters of our time. Cordially, Dawn Austin, RN
I am a psychiatric nurse, an RN. I've seen both the assistance and the stigma that the label of mental illness can bring to a person's life. While in many instances, these labels can and do help my patients get the help that they so desperately need, there are some things through the ages that have been incorrectly labeled as mental illnesses. Homosexuality, paganism, and even being a strong outspoken and intelligent woman have all at times been thought to belong under the 'mental illness' umbrella. I feel that being kinky, or engaging in safe, sane, consentual, adult activities that simply don't happen to fit the mainstream definition of 'normal sexual activities and turn ons' is just wrong. If these things stay within the above boundaries...then who are a panel of DSMV personnel to give those individuals the stigma and burden of being mentally ill? Please think before you assign us labels. Please let the labels be the tools they are meant to be, and not become the scarlet letters of our time. Cordially, Dawn Austin, RN
# 2,103:
2:46 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Name not displayed, Louisiana
The BDSM lifestyle is just as natural as any of the other legal, more socially accepted fetishes, and is entirely based upon trust and consent. The DSM needs to distinguish between true sexual sadism/masochism, and non-consensual rape and battery.
The BDSM lifestyle is just as natural as any of the other legal, more socially accepted fetishes, and is entirely based upon trust and consent. The DSM needs to distinguish between true sexual sadism/masochism, and non-consensual rape and battery.
# 2,102:
2:37 pm PDT, Jun 30,
Mark Barnes, California
# 2,101:
12:27 am PDT, Jun 30,
Jason Picard, New Hampshire
# 2,100:
12:18 am PDT, Jun 27,
Maria Masats Casassas, Spain
# 2,099:
6:32 am PDT, Jun 26,
Hank Caldwell, Pennsylvania
# 2,098:
1:04 am PDT, Jun 26,
Robert Kohberger, Nevada
# 2,097:
6:30 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Melissa Gritz, Oregon
# 2,096:
4:49 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Max A. Schneider, California
# 2,095:
2:23 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Matthew Bagby, Missouri
# 2,094:
12:51 pm PDT, Jun 25,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 2,093:
11:45 am PDT, Jun 25,
Tonya Porter, Florida
# 2,092:
5:17 am PDT, Jun 25,
Name not displayed, New Hampshire
As a Member of the bdsm community. I can tell you. This lifestyle is all about consent. Something that most other forms of sexual and nonsexual partners can not say.
As a Member of the bdsm community. I can tell you. This lifestyle is all about consent. Something that most other forms of sexual and nonsexual partners can not say.
# 2,091:
5:12 am PDT, Jun 25,
Erik Dary, Wisconsin
# 2,090:
8:32 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Javier Marquez, Massachusetts
# 2,089:
7:34 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Lehi Drew, Texas
It is your moral, ethical, and scientific responsibility to remove disorders which have a cultural bias. There is no excuse for entries based on politics instead of empirical data.
It is your moral, ethical, and scientific responsibility to remove disorders which have a cultural bias. There is no excuse for entries based on politics instead of empirical data.
# 2,088:
12:59 pm PDT, Jun 23,
Rebecca Locke, Connecticut
I am an MSW, and I believe that the DSM needs to distinguish between true sexual sadism that is nonconsensual, and sadism or masochism that is based on the principles of safe, sane, and consensual. In the year 2009, we owe it to researchers, practitioners, and clients alike to have a diagnostic tool that is founded on empiricism, not prejudice.
I am an MSW, and I believe that the DSM needs to distinguish between true sexual sadism that is nonconsensual, and sadism or masochism that is based on the principles of safe, sane, and consensual. In the year 2009, we owe it to researchers, practitioners, and clients alike to have a diagnostic tool that is founded on empiricism, not prejudice.
# 2,087:
11:11 am PDT, Jun 23,
Amy Gilliland, Wisconsin
# 2,086:
1:20 am PDT, Jun 23,
Jennifer Belfield, Massachusetts
I believe that a BDSM lifestyle for couples can be a truly fulfilling experience. Please base all diagnoses in the DSM on empirical research, devoid of cultural bias. The BDSM lifestyle may be non-conventional, but it should be fairly studied to be properly understood, because it can be a lifestyle choice that is grounded in love and mutual compassion for each other's needs and desires in such a relationship/lifestyle. Thank you.
I believe that a BDSM lifestyle for couples can be a truly fulfilling experience. Please base all diagnoses in the DSM on empirical research, devoid of cultural bias. The BDSM lifestyle may be non-conventional, but it should be fairly studied to be properly understood, because it can be a lifestyle choice that is grounded in love and mutual compassion for each other's needs and desires in such a relationship/lifestyle. Thank you.
# 2,085:
12:45 pm PDT, Jun 22,
Name not displayed, California
# 2,084:
8:27 pm PDT, Jun 21,
Tatiana Costa, Brazil
# 2,083:
2:54 pm PDT, Jun 21,
Name not displayed, California
Consensual sex between adults should not be determined to be abnormal without empirical research, based on hard science. To do so is simply predjudicial behavior.
Consensual sex between adults should not be determined to be abnormal without empirical research, based on hard science. To do so is simply predjudicial behavior.
# 2,082:
8:27 pm PDT, Jun 19,
Judith Z. Miller, New York
# 2,081:
|
10:45 am PDT, Jun 19,
Vanessa Hutcheson, Texas
I am a sadist and a perfectly sane individual. I would never engage in BDSM with anyone who did not consent. If any sadist did, the problem would be simply that they are a rapist or a batterer, and whether or not they also happened to be a sadist would be irrelevant. |
# 2,080:
5:31 am PDT, Jun 19,
Susan Allen, New Hampshire
# 2,079:
6:45 pm PDT, Jun 17,
Name not displayed, Texas
The DSM is pathologizing things that shouldn't be!
The DSM is pathologizing things that shouldn't be!
# 2,078:
4:34 pm PDT, Jun 17,
Name not displayed, Bosnia And Herzegovina
# 2,077:
6:00 am PDT, Jun 16,
Carissa Sutherland, Texas
Though I support the necessity of a diagnosis of true, dysfunctional disorders, be they sexual or non, because of the lack of empirical, unbiased, substantiating evidence of clinical dysfunction regarding the generalized overview of sexual and pseudosexual norms, I must agree that those social norms thus classified as disorders should be removed from the otherwise stellar DSM.
Though I support the necessity of a diagnosis of true, dysfunctional disorders, be they sexual or non, because of the lack of empirical, unbiased, substantiating evidence of clinical dysfunction regarding the generalized overview of sexual and pseudosexual norms, I must agree that those social norms thus classified as disorders should be removed from the otherwise stellar DSM.
# 2,076:
10:25 am PDT, Jun 15,
Laura Mason, California
I feel this is an important , long overdue movement needing to be done. sexual intimacy between consenting adults should not be catagorized as a psychological disorder just because its not the usual. It needs to be removed from the DSM as previously stated.
I feel this is an important , long overdue movement needing to be done. sexual intimacy between consenting adults should not be catagorized as a psychological disorder just because its not the usual. It needs to be removed from the DSM as previously stated.
# 2,075:
9:35 am PDT, Jun 15,
Gerald Ottone, Wisconsin
# 2,074:
5:12 am PDT, Jun 15,
S Holland, Massachusetts
I was actually shocked to find out that participation in BDSM activities is considered a disorder! As a whole, the BDSM community is more concerned with safe, sane, consensual activities and strong communication between partners than many people who are not into BDSM.
I was actually shocked to find out that participation in BDSM activities is considered a disorder! As a whole, the BDSM community is more concerned with safe, sane, consensual activities and strong communication between partners than many people who are not into BDSM.
# 2,073:
5:16 pm PDT, Jun 14,
Jonathan Current, Massachusetts
It's truly disgusting that enjoying something with no negative impact is considered a mental disorder. Not only does this set the BDSM community back, but it detracts from serious mental health issues.
It's truly disgusting that enjoying something with no negative impact is considered a mental disorder. Not only does this set the BDSM community back, but it detracts from serious mental health issues.
# 2,072:
12:33 pm PDT, Jun 14,
Name not displayed, California
# 2,071:
8:54 am PDT, Jun 14,
Micaela Godfrey, Massachusetts
When I was 16 I was hospitalized by my parents because of my BDSM interests. They said that I was a danger to myself, and thus should not continue such interests. I had to spend a week in a hell hole of a hospital, and then I had to spend a month in McLean's. I was not allowed to leave until I wrote up a paper saying that I would not engage in such behaviors, and I had to write up what I would do if the temptation to engage in such behaviors arose. It was the worst time of my life, and afterwards I was paranoid and traumatized. I still am, honestly.
When I was 16 I was hospitalized by my parents because of my BDSM interests. They said that I was a danger to myself, and thus should not continue such interests. I had to spend a week in a hell hole of a hospital, and then I had to spend a month in McLean's. I was not allowed to leave until I wrote up a paper saying that I would not engage in such behaviors, and I had to write up what I would do if the temptation to engage in such behaviors arose. It was the worst time of my life, and afterwards I was paranoid and traumatized. I still am, honestly.
# 2,070:
7:24 pm PDT, Jun 12,
Name not displayed, California
AASECT
AASECT
# 2,069:
10:33 am PDT, Jun 12,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 2,068:
3:00 pm PDT, Jun 11,
Benjamin Sneen, Minnesota
In the advanced state of our society, It does disturb me that sexual preference can used as a basis of mental health. Granted from thse 1930's to the mid 1970' we were doing electro shock "therapy" on women who were promiscous or lesbian. Therapy that often went way to far. so yes we have come a long way in acceptance but we do have much farther to go.
In the advanced state of our society, It does disturb me that sexual preference can used as a basis of mental health. Granted from thse 1930's to the mid 1970' we were doing electro shock "therapy" on women who were promiscous or lesbian. Therapy that often went way to far. so yes we have come a long way in acceptance but we do have much farther to go.
# 2,067:
11:22 am PDT, Jun 10,
Lauren R, Wisconsin
This petition seems almost ridiculous. How could a scientific field like psychiatry not base their conclusions on empirical evidence? Cultural bias should definitely be omitted from the DSM.
This petition seems almost ridiculous. How could a scientific field like psychiatry not base their conclusions on empirical evidence? Cultural bias should definitely be omitted from the DSM.
# 2,066:
8:20 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Frances Frazer, Texas
# 2,065:
4:41 pm PDT, Jun 9,
David Frederick, Pennsylvania
As someone with a seizure disorder, there are a lot of preconceptions about people like me. However, I was at the forefront of medical research in the 60's, as I was in a test cell for a new surgery and survived. They gave me 12 years max - "Anything more - severe mental retardation." I am middle-aged, have a job and live by myself - stuff I was NEVER "supposed to do". So, when someone makes a biased comment, I react and tell it like it is!
As someone with a seizure disorder, there are a lot of preconceptions about people like me. However, I was at the forefront of medical research in the 60's, as I was in a test cell for a new surgery and survived. They gave me 12 years max - "Anything more - severe mental retardation." I am middle-aged, have a job and live by myself - stuff I was NEVER "supposed to do". So, when someone makes a biased comment, I react and tell it like it is!
# 2,064:
3:45 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Name not displayed, Switzerland
I have been teaching about some absurdities found in the DSM-IV for 10 years at university level (anthropology) It is high time for a thorough re-examination of the whole manual to get rid of its anachronistic content.
I have been teaching about some absurdities found in the DSM-IV for 10 years at university level (anthropology) It is high time for a thorough re-examination of the whole manual to get rid of its anachronistic content.
# 2,063:
11:40 am PDT, Jun 9,
Name not displayed, Wisconsin
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I work with clients all the time that feel the stigma of the DSM in regards to their own lives. This specifically reflects in the LGBTQ and alternative sexuality communities. These individuals have made conscious choices to live their lives in a way that differs from the majority yet they are not treated with the same respect. I ask the APA to take out all diagnoses that are not found by research to provide dysfunction. Thank you Jasmine St. John MS, LMFT
I am a licensed marriage and family therapist. I work with clients all the time that feel the stigma of the DSM in regards to their own lives. This specifically reflects in the LGBTQ and alternative sexuality communities. These individuals have made conscious choices to live their lives in a way that differs from the majority yet they are not treated with the same respect. I ask the APA to take out all diagnoses that are not found by research to provide dysfunction. Thank you Jasmine St. John MS, LMFT
# 2,062:
9:53 am PDT, Jun 9,
Name not displayed, Netherlands
Sexual preferences shouldn't be classified as mental disorders. I enjoy being submissive very much thank you.
Sexual preferences shouldn't be classified as mental disorders. I enjoy being submissive very much thank you.
# 2,061:
9:30 pm PDT, Jun 7,
Name not displayed, New York
# 2,060:
6:55 pm PDT, Jun 6,
Bart C, Illinois
People are Normal in whatever they do. Socety does not need to interfere.
People are Normal in whatever they do. Socety does not need to interfere.
# 2,059:
7:08 am PDT, Jun 6,
Axel Blumenthal, Germany
LSVD: The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany Bundesgeschäftsstelle Postadresse: Postbox 10 34 14 50474 Köln Germany Fon: +49 221-925961-0 Fax: +49 221-925961-11 eMail: lsvd(at)lsvd.de
LSVD: The Lesbian and Gay Federation in Germany Bundesgeschäftsstelle Postadresse: Postbox 10 34 14 50474 Köln Germany Fon: +49 221-925961-0 Fax: +49 221-925961-11 eMail: lsvd(at)lsvd.de
# 2,058:
8:58 am PDT, Jun 5,
Lynda Hoggan, California
As a Health and Human Sexuality instructor, I have difficulty explaining to my students why certain sexual preferences qualify as mental disorders, while others do not - without supporting data and at the whim of the individuals involved in 'updating' the DSM.
As a Health and Human Sexuality instructor, I have difficulty explaining to my students why certain sexual preferences qualify as mental disorders, while others do not - without supporting data and at the whim of the individuals involved in 'updating' the DSM.
# 2,057:
1:50 pm PDT, Jun 4,
Gina Ogden, Massachusetts
For more impact, add a personal comment here I have been an LMFT and certified sexuality therapist for over 3 decades--the DSM needs to reflect real issues.
For more impact, add a personal comment here I have been an LMFT and certified sexuality therapist for over 3 decades--the DSM needs to reflect real issues.
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
# 2,056:
8:45 am PDT, Jun 4,
Martin Weinberg, Indiana
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
# 2,055:
8:39 pm PDT, Jun 3,
Hani Miletski, Maryland
For more impact, add a personal comment here
For more impact, add a personal comment here
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
# 2,054:
3:08 pm PDT, Jun 3,
Roz Teller, California
Perhaps ensuring the DSM is based on empirical research will improve the reputation of psychiatry in the general public and truly begin the process of seeing mental health in the same way as they see physical health.
Perhaps ensuring the DSM is based on empirical research will improve the reputation of psychiatry in the general public and truly begin the process of seeing mental health in the same way as they see physical health.
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
# 2,053:
2:05 pm PDT, Jun 3,
Vena Blanchard, California
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
If you are signing on for a group or organization, please give the name of the group and the URL
# 2,052:
12:32 am PDT, Jun 2,
Name not displayed, Spain
# 2,051:
6:29 pm PDT, Jun 1,
Alexa James, New Mexico
As an expert on gender roles, I would like to add that this diagnosis is an outdated and archaic moral judgment rather than an accurate scientific diagnosis. It is a relic of the times when we thought people who used herbs were "witches" and burned them at the stake, or those who believed the earth revolved around the sun were heretics.
As an expert on gender roles, I would like to add that this diagnosis is an outdated and archaic moral judgment rather than an accurate scientific diagnosis. It is a relic of the times when we thought people who used herbs were "witches" and burned them at the stake, or those who believed the earth revolved around the sun were heretics.
