Anonymous asked this question on 4/7/2000:

It used to be that homosexuality was considered a disorder in the DSM. Now it is considered a normal variation. What is the current thinking re zoophilia? Is it considered a disorder to be "corrected", or is it considered better to help a person feel good about their feeling for animals? Is it likely that in time the DSM will go the same way with zoophilia as it has with homosexuality, or did it only change for homosexuality because of pressure from activists?

Are there any known errors in the DSM?

How much of the DSM is opinion subject to whim and change?

To what degree do phycologists and phyciatrists follow the DSM rather than their own feelings?

MysticKnight gave this response on 4/27/2000:

Hi there !!!

It is very doubful that the DSM will change its option regarding zoophilia. It changed its position against homosexuality because it was understood that it is an act performed among two consenting adults and to some extends , ithere were even studies that shown that it is something acquired at birth , that you cannot change....so not so much as a brain disorder.

Animals do not have the capacity of discerning what we humans can ...so I would be a hell of a lot surprised if the DSM would change that position.

And by the way, the DSM is only a reference book... not the best of them if you want my advice because it is far too much rigid and because of that fact , some many erroneus diagnostics were made by people who swear only by it. The DSM says if you have this or that disorder, there is your illness...which is very far from the real thing because the context and the situation in its whole is not even considered.

The DSM is only a tool...and may be use but with restriction. Personally, I would not be able to tell you to which degree it is used by praticians ... but in my opinion...it is far too much still. I do go with what the client tells me and what I can see and understand about the situation... and my belief is that more praticians should go with their own feeling , their own gut instinct because relying too much on the DSM. You would see then the number of cases being wrongfully diagnosticated drop like you would not believe.

The errors that I find on the DSM is that is does not offer any lattitude..and basically that is its biggest mistake... otherwise ... it is very well done... but definetly not a book that someone should swear upon to diagnostic cases.

Sincerely, Mystic Knight

Anonymous asked this follow-up question on 5/14/2000:

I thank you for your answer. Homosexual acts are not always between consenting adults, although they can be. Bestiality acts are not always between consenting adults, although they can be. Animals are capable of knowing when they are enjoying themselves. They make choices based on their own requirements. The DSM does say that a behaviour is not considered a paraphilia unless it causes problems. Thus the qualified pactitioner should be able to ascertain whether or not a clients sexual attraction to animals was a problem for them and advise accordingly. I would say that in many case the best thing would be to try to make the client feel good about themselves. Some people say that bestiality should not be illegal because it is wrong to create laws based on disgust.

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