The Historical Classification of Homosexuality as a Mental Disorder: A Reflection on APA's Evolution

The history of classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder is a complex narrative reflecting changes in societal norms, scientific understanding, and the evolution of mental health diagnoses. This article explores how, for decades, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) placed homosexuality on their list of mental disorders and delves into the reasons behind this classification and its eventual removal.

Confusion Between Social Norms and Mental Health

The rationale behind classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder is often rooted in misunderstanding and conflating social norms with mental health. In the context provided, the speaker advocates for the clean-cut understanding of health and sickness based on reproductive organs' primary function. This perspective challenges the notion that deviation from societal norms equates to mental illness. It suggests that homosexuality should not be viewed as a mental disorder, but rather as a variation in human sexuality, which is a natural and healthy expression of human diversity.

The American Psychiatric Association's Role

In 1968, the APA published the DSM-II, which listed homosexuality as a "sexual deviation" alongside other conditions such as fetishism and pedophilia. However, in 1973, the APA removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. This decision represented a significant shift in the organization's stance, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of social and cultural norms in shaping mental health diagnoses.

The Impact of Social and Cultural Norms

The classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder was primarily based on religious-based homophobia and bigotry. This decision ignored the fundamental fact that who people choose to love is a personal choice and not a mental illness. The speaker argues that if a person desires to use their organs for a non-reproductive purpose, such as cutting their skin or putting their penis into a non-reproductive hole, it would be seen as using these organs incorrectly. However, if it comes to sexual preference, this rationale does not hold up. The nature of homosexuality as a mental disorder was rooted in homophobia rather than any genuine scientific understanding.

Freud's Perspective

It’s important to consider Sigmund Freud's views, as highlighted in his 1935 letter to the mother of a man who was apparently homosexual. Freud’s letter reveals his nuanced understanding of homosexuality and the societal prejudices that often lead to such classifications. In his letter, Freud emphasizes that homosexuality is not a vice, a degradation, or an illness but a variation of sexual function resulting from a certain arrest in sexual development.

Freud advises that the goal of treatment, if needed, would be to help the individual accept themselves rather than to change their sexual orientation. He also notes that one cannot promise to change homosexuality, only to address the resulting unhappiness or psychological issues. Freud concluded that the labeling and prosecution of homosexuality as a crime is unjust and cruel.

Historical Context and Evolution

This historical context sheds light on how societal norms and cultural perceptions shape mental health diagnoses. The article references the example of drapetomania, a fictional mental illness once used to justify the punishment of runaway slaves. Similarly, homosexuality was once classified as a mental disorder, but this classification was eventually debunked as societies evolved and recognized the diverse range of human sexuality.

The speaker argues that the change in the APA's stance on homosexuality is a positive step towards recognizing the diversity of human sexuality and understanding that such variations are not inherent to mental illness. It underscores the importance of scientific and medical professionals engaging with society's cultural and historical context when making diagnoses.

For those interested in further reading, Sigmund Freud's letter is a crucial source. It reveals the subtle shifting perspective from viewing homosexuality as a mental illness to recognizing it as a natural variation in human sexuality.

References:

Freud, S. (1935). Letter to the mother of a homosexual man. Retrieved from [source link] Drapetomania - Wikipedia. Retrieved from [source link] Allen, L. A. (1992). Psychiatry and theMongoamerican Dilemma. Oxford University Press. APA. (1968). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). Retrieved from [source link] APA. (1973). Decision to remove homosexuality as a disorder from the DSM-III. Retrieved from [source link] Havelock Ellis, G. H. (1897). Studies in the Psychology of Sex. HS King.