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!
# 3,241:
12:23 am PST, Dec 30,
Andrew Irvan, Florida
I wholeheartedly support assisting others who may be in clear and present need of mental help, but I don't find it just that the APA use its position of power to make sociological choices on what is or isn't "acceptable", without proper evidence of research to support their claims.
I wholeheartedly support assisting others who may be in clear and present need of mental help, but I don't find it just that the APA use its position of power to make sociological choices on what is or isn't "acceptable", without proper evidence of research to support their claims.
# 3,240:
6:31 am PST, Dec 29,
Douglas Hilton, Georgia
# 3,239:
6:53 pm PST, Dec 27,
Boston Masshole, Massachusetts
mzz.boston masshole
mzz.boston masshole
# 3,238:
6:17 pm PST, Dec 27,
Name not displayed, Oklahoma
# 3,237:
6:52 am PST, Dec 27,
Name not displayed, Colorado
A person is not sick just because they are invovled in an activity that is not main stream.
A person is not sick just because they are invovled in an activity that is not main stream.
# 3,236:
12:20 pm PST, Dec 26,
Name not displayed, Indiana
# 3,235:
12:28 am PST, Dec 26,
Nikkolas Francavilla, Kansas
# 3,234:
8:16 pm PST, Dec 23,
Lawrence Pawson, Arizona
Dear APA, Please do not use current social norms or values as a basis for clinical judgment! I agree it should be based on empirical research! Cheers, Lawrence
Dear APA, Please do not use current social norms or values as a basis for clinical judgment! I agree it should be based on empirical research! Cheers, Lawrence
# 3,233:
2:30 pm PST, Dec 23,
Syntha Lorenz, California
As a licensed mental health clinician, I hope to see some of the old diagnoses revised to be more inclusive of our modern world.
As a licensed mental health clinician, I hope to see some of the old diagnoses revised to be more inclusive of our modern world.
# 3,232:
9:24 pm PST, Dec 21,
Name not displayed, Florida
# 3,231:
5:05 pm PST, Dec 20,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
# 3,230:
6:18 pm PST, Dec 19,
Laura Hengehold, Ohio
# 3,229:
9:40 am PST, Dec 19,
Name not displayed, Washington
# 3,228:
2:53 pm PST, Dec 18,
Clinton Akins, Kansas
# 3,227:
2:49 pm PST, Dec 17,
Margaret Fasolo, New York
# 3,226:
12:23 pm PST, Dec 17,
Joe Cane, Austria
Sadism and Masochism are NOT diseases!!! I urge thier removal from the DSM and the ICD (Interrnational Classification of Diseases) Sincerely
Sadism and Masochism are NOT diseases!!! I urge thier removal from the DSM and the ICD (Interrnational Classification of Diseases) Sincerely
# 3,225:
2:17 pm PST, Dec 16,
Jasmine Carter, Florida
# 3,224:
11:13 am PST, Dec 16,
Mary Castellaneta, North Carolina
# 3,223:
6:42 am PST, Dec 16,
MICHAEL BOTELHO, Rhode Island
AT ONE TIME JUST BEING GAY WAS CONSIDERED A MENTAL ILLNESS. AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN MY PARENTS BROUGHT ME TO A PSYCHIATRIST TO TRY AND "FIX" ME. AFTER ONE SESSION IN WHICH THE DR. SAID I SHOULD STOP DOING "GIRLY THINGS" SUCH AS DOING DISHES AND VACCUMING, ETCETERA, THAT THIS WOULD MAKE ME NOT BE ATTRACTED TO OTHER BOYS. AT THAT AGE I HAD AND STILL DO THINK THAT A PSYCHIATRIST IS THERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES. NOT TELL YOU YOU ARE PERVERTED AND NEED TO BE FIXED ACCORDING SOMEONE ELSES IDEA OF NORMALCY. JUST AS BEING GAY IS NO LONGER CONSIDDERED AN ILLNESS I BELIEVE THAT AN INTEREST IN "KINK" BE IT S&M OR ANY OTHER FETISH IS A HEALTHY EXERCISE IN ONES MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. WE EXPLORE AND DEVELOP A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL AS WE PLAY WITH OTHERS. JUST AS WE PLAYED AND LEARNED HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN. IT IS SIMPLY THE EVER ONGOING LIFE LONG LEARNING PROCESS. LIVE LONG AND "PLAY" WELL WITH EACH OTHER!
AT ONE TIME JUST BEING GAY WAS CONSIDERED A MENTAL ILLNESS. AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN MY PARENTS BROUGHT ME TO A PSYCHIATRIST TO TRY AND "FIX" ME. AFTER ONE SESSION IN WHICH THE DR. SAID I SHOULD STOP DOING "GIRLY THINGS" SUCH AS DOING DISHES AND VACCUMING, ETCETERA, THAT THIS WOULD MAKE ME NOT BE ATTRACTED TO OTHER BOYS. AT THAT AGE I HAD AND STILL DO THINK THAT A PSYCHIATRIST IS THERE TO HELP YOU THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES. NOT TELL YOU YOU ARE PERVERTED AND NEED TO BE FIXED ACCORDING SOMEONE ELSES IDEA OF NORMALCY. JUST AS BEING GAY IS NO LONGER CONSIDDERED AN ILLNESS I BELIEVE THAT AN INTEREST IN "KINK" BE IT S&M OR ANY OTHER FETISH IS A HEALTHY EXERCISE IN ONES MENTAL DEVELOPMENT. WE EXPLORE AND DEVELOP A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL AS WE PLAY WITH OTHERS. JUST AS WE PLAYED AND LEARNED HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN. IT IS SIMPLY THE EVER ONGOING LIFE LONG LEARNING PROCESS. LIVE LONG AND "PLAY" WELL WITH EACH OTHER!
# 3,222:
12:02 am PST, Dec 14,
Katherine Blanchard, California
# 3,221:
6:36 am PST, Dec 13,
Paul Kowal, Massachusetts
# 3,220:
8:01 pm PST, Dec 12,
Name not displayed, Missouri
Please don't stigmatize lots of people by diatgnosing them on a basis that is really subjective.
Please don't stigmatize lots of people by diatgnosing them on a basis that is really subjective.
# 3,219:
1:22 pm PST, Dec 12,
Theresa Reed, Oregon
I simply know too many well-balanced and emotionally/mentally healthy people who engage in BDSM activities to believe that such conduct is a paraphilia that should be treated. That having been said, there are unbalanced and unwell people who participate in a wide range of activities, among them BDSM, and in those less common circumstances, addressing their dysfunctional manifestations may well be wise. But to confuse the two groups does neither a service.
I simply know too many well-balanced and emotionally/mentally healthy people who engage in BDSM activities to believe that such conduct is a paraphilia that should be treated. That having been said, there are unbalanced and unwell people who participate in a wide range of activities, among them BDSM, and in those less common circumstances, addressing their dysfunctional manifestations may well be wise. But to confuse the two groups does neither a service.
# 3,218:
3:41 pm PST, Dec 11,
Nicholas Nelson, New York
# 3,217:
10:09 pm PST, Dec 8,
Name not displayed, New Hampshire
a persons sexual orientation should NOT be used as a diagnosis if it does no harm to another person and HARM should be determined by the if there is a victim ... if a partner has consented and is willing and of age then they are not a victim.
a persons sexual orientation should NOT be used as a diagnosis if it does no harm to another person and HARM should be determined by the if there is a victim ... if a partner has consented and is willing and of age then they are not a victim.
# 3,216:
4:08 am PST, Dec 8,
April Summers, Oklahoma
I support the NCSF's position on eliminating diagnoses NOT based on empirical research and those that contain any form of cultural bias. As a licensed clinician I have a thorough understanding of the impact any diagnoses can have, but particularly those of a sexual nature.
I support the NCSF's position on eliminating diagnoses NOT based on empirical research and those that contain any form of cultural bias. As a licensed clinician I have a thorough understanding of the impact any diagnoses can have, but particularly those of a sexual nature.
# 3,215:
3:33 pm PST, Dec 7,
Name not displayed, California
# 3,214:
8:14 am PST, Dec 7,
Name not displayed, Illinois
Victimless 'crimes' are just that... VICTIMLESS!! Consenting adults should be allowed to do whatever they so desire in a safe venue short of causing permanent physical damage or death. Keep your morals to yourself, and I will do the same. Don't force your values on me, and don't ceate grief for those who do not agree with your values. We all have morality, we all have values, and we all know the difference between right and wrong.
Victimless 'crimes' are just that... VICTIMLESS!! Consenting adults should be allowed to do whatever they so desire in a safe venue short of causing permanent physical damage or death. Keep your morals to yourself, and I will do the same. Don't force your values on me, and don't ceate grief for those who do not agree with your values. We all have morality, we all have values, and we all know the difference between right and wrong.
# 3,213:
8:06 am PST, Dec 6,
Stephanie Austin, Wisconsin
Free sexual expression, as determined by consenting adults, is an essential part of a person's self-identity. To hinder this expression by calling that which falls outside of the norm unhealthy when no solid reasoning outside of societal bias can be given for calling it such actually hinders a person's ability to find identity and feelings of self-worth through the stigma placed upon them, all of which is the antithethical to what the APA itself states as being necessary for mental health. Therefore, the stigma must be removed by taking all listings of consentual BDSM related activity out of the DSM immediately.
Free sexual expression, as determined by consenting adults, is an essential part of a person's self-identity. To hinder this expression by calling that which falls outside of the norm unhealthy when no solid reasoning outside of societal bias can be given for calling it such actually hinders a person's ability to find identity and feelings of self-worth through the stigma placed upon them, all of which is the antithethical to what the APA itself states as being necessary for mental health. Therefore, the stigma must be removed by taking all listings of consentual BDSM related activity out of the DSM immediately.
# 3,212:
9:27 am PST, Dec 5,
Name not displayed, Kansas
# 3,211:
11:37 am PST, Dec 4,
Nela Suka, Massachusetts
This just makes sense!
This just makes sense!
# 3,210:
2:47 pm PST, Dec 2,
Name not displayed, New York
# 3,209:
12:04 pm PST, Dec 2,
Name not displayed, Canada
The DSM needs to change its way of diagnosis such so-called pathologies. If the person (not the partner) involved is not distressed, why should be pathological?
The DSM needs to change its way of diagnosis such so-called pathologies. If the person (not the partner) involved is not distressed, why should be pathological?
# 3,208:
4:04 pm PST, Dec 1,
Chene Koppitz, Michigan
# 3,207:
6:31 pm PST, Nov 30,
Melanie Frias, Canada
# 3,206:
6:30 pm PST, Nov 30,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 3,205:
3:00 pm PST, Nov 30,
Loretta Butterworth, United Kingdom
Theres nothing mental about 'kink'. It's done behind closed doors, its not harming anyone. Get over it. Kink ftw.
Theres nothing mental about 'kink'. It's done behind closed doors, its not harming anyone. Get over it. Kink ftw.
# 3,204:
10:26 am PST, Nov 30,
Stefan Davey, United Kingdom
My practice of BDSM is part of how i express my sexuality in safe, consensual manner. You have to ask yourselves, how many people in the world are afraid to come out as being into BDSM because they afraid of being stigmatised by society/health professionals and the establishment who aren't educated in BDSM practices, or simply place a negative value judgement on it.
My practice of BDSM is part of how i express my sexuality in safe, consensual manner. You have to ask yourselves, how many people in the world are afraid to come out as being into BDSM because they afraid of being stigmatised by society/health professionals and the establishment who aren't educated in BDSM practices, or simply place a negative value judgement on it.
# 3,203:
10:49 pm PST, Nov 29,
Scott Johnson, California
I hope that this will continue the good work started when the APA removed Sadomasochism from the DSM several years back.
I hope that this will continue the good work started when the APA removed Sadomasochism from the DSM several years back.
# 3,202:
12:42 am PST, Nov 29,
Nancy Deol, Massachusetts
I find all psychological classifications without empirical research to be pure fiction, and to be treated as such.
I find all psychological classifications without empirical research to be pure fiction, and to be treated as such.
# 3,201:
7:48 am PST, Nov 27,
Catherine Brohman, Canada
