Are Transsexuals Mentally ill?

 Fact is, most transsexuals agree there’s something wrong with them. The difference is they think it’s with their bodies, while unsympathetic outsiders say it’s with their heads.

The professional view of transsexuality is evolving. DSM-V, currently under development, proposes replacing gender identity disorder with “gender dysphoria.” From what I can see this is mostly an exercise in euphemism: you still think you’re the wrong sex, and you’re still not happy about it. But others think the whole notion of transsexuality as a disorder should be abandoned. For example, in 2009 the French health ministry declared it would no longer classify transsexualism as a psychiatric condition.

 

Not to get all peace-and-love about it, but the core issue really is unhappiness.

 

DSM-III dropped the old classification of homosexuality as a disorder because of the dawning realization that whatever gays and lesbians might be unhappy about, it wasn’t about being gay or lesbian as such – the main issue was social disapproval. In contrast, even with all the social acceptance in the world, transsexuals are still going to think they’re the wrong sex.

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