Year: 1999
Type: letter
Abstract: conclude that mental health professionals "should be aware of the mistakes of the past".I would like to point out that comparable mistakes continue in many parts of the world where homosexuality is still pathologised and substantially stigmatised.For example, according to the second revised edition of the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders published in 1995, homosexuality remains a diagnosable psychiatric disease in China (Lee, 1996).A se-NO^ professor argued that this is because there is a lack of either biological or psychological evidence to show that homosexuality is 'absolutely normal' and that some homosexual people do seek medical or psychological help (Young, 1994).However, Lau & Ng (1989) maintained that homosexuality not only has a long history but is also common in Chinese society.In the USA the diagnostic category of 'egodystonic homosexuality' was not deleted from the DSM system until recently (American Psychiatric Association, 1987).It remains to be seen whether China's rapid economic reforms and admittedly more sluggish political liberalisation will lead to the de-pathologisation of homosexuality and the ripening of the Chinese gay community.Amvku, Psyd~i.bk*rrodrtkn (1987) Diagnostic and Wotinicol Monuol of Mend Disorders (3 rd edn.revised) (MM-Ill-R).Washington, DC: APA.
Author: G. Yorston
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2155836637