Therapists offer gay 'treatment'

[homer1972]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7963828.stm

[gregf]

There is a problem in the U.K. with psychiatrists.

They are hijacking genuine physical illnesses so they
can profit from having them declared psychiatric illnesses.

And that incredible scandal is being exported around the world.

This man is the leader of the scandal.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2 ... -sick.html

[raggatwin]

Sexuality and reactions to it are socially constructed and therefore relative. you would have thought that doctors with their level of education and training would know and understand this.

[psb-freak]

There should be treatment for straight people too, then.

[Fugitive1979]

There should be treatment for straight people too, then.

Try switching on your brain before you post.

[Jemstone123]

This is for people who are in denial? about their homosexual feelings, i know i was at some point, or another form of trying to conform people to society expectations.

[Sandy Shaw]

I was just about to start a thread on this. Thanks for doing so. This issue is very important. Ironically many gay people start to develop mental health issues due to low self esteem, bullying at school, internalised homophobia etc. Out and proud confident and mentally healthy gay people are a force to be reckoned with but let us not forget those in distress also.

[markus]

Considering the fact that there aren't really many "treatments" againts the desire to molest children, wouldn't a person possibly feel it's easier to seek treatment and label it "against homosexuality"? I think that whenever someone takes such big step and seeks help then there's probably something there that needs fixing. Just trying to think a bit deeper. There's always more to sensationalist news stories like this than what is said...

[dVTB]

There is a problem in the U.K. with psychiatrists.

They are hijacking genuine physical illnesses so they
can profit from having them declared psychiatric illnesses.

And that incredible scandal is being exported around the world.

This man is the leader of the scandal.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg2 ... -sick.html

What I find very worrying, is how you mix-up of the alledged treatment of homosexuality with the treatment of syndromes like chronic fatique syndrome, RSI and whiplash. People who have chronic fatique syndrome, RSI and whiplash actually suffer from pain/discomfort. Homosexuality is nothing but a natural consequence of homosexual orientation. It's not an illness, nor does it come with pain.

I strongly agree with the Stonewall comment, posted on the BBC News page: The conclusions of this research are a welcome reminder that what lesbian and gay people need is equal treatment by society, not misguided treatment by a minority of health professionals.

[meiakitty]

Who did these "therapists" test their theory on, Daffyd Thomas?

[York Minster]

Being gay is as much a mental illness as depression or OCD. It's all based on the bell curve. It is also very muched based on the morality of the given society it's being practiced in. When most people who have depression issues realise they can usually help themselves better with logotherapy then with pills, we will all be much better off.

[Drico One]

Being gay is as much a mental illness as depression or OCD.

I can see this one going down well...

Drico.

PS Have you suddenly become the Necromancer of this forum? Why are you resurrecting long-lost, long-dead, never-interesting threads from the past?

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/warrio ... mancer.htm

[territorygal]

I feel deeply sorry for these people. Anyone who'd seek professional help to suppress or purge their sexuality is obviously troubled. As Markus pointed out, there are probably other issues involved as well. It's sad.

As for whether or not these treatments actually work... honestly, I don't know. But I suspect it's more about "repression" than "cure".

[York Minster]

I can see this one going down well...

I think you missed the point. I don't necessarily think turning gays straight is a great move. But I am saying that as far as being a disorder of the brain, OCD and being gay are in the same class. In fact, until around the 1970s being gay WAS a mental illness. My main point is actually a bit off topic, which is that the way we categorize mental health is BS. However, who is really to say if a gay person wants to conform or just wants to be straight that that shouldn't be an option? Why is that wrong?

[territorygal]

I can see this one going down well...

I think you missed the point. I don't necessarily think turning gays straight is a great move. But I am saying that as far as being a disorder of the brain, OCD and being gay are in the same class. In fact, until around the 1970s being gay WAS a mental illness. My main point is actually a bit off topic, which is that the way we categorize mental health is BS. However, who is really to say if a gay person wants to conform or just wants to be straight that that shouldn't be an option? Why is that wrong?

I think Drico is trying to tell you that equating homosexuality with OCD and other "disorders of the brain" is not going to be welcomed in a community with a rather large LGBT population. Statements like that can start flamewars here.