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?

kinghappy gave this response on 4/9/2000:

dr laura, is that you? i highly doubt that zoophilia will be removed as a disorder in the DSM. however i dont think that was your point in asking this question. the reason that homosexuality was removed not due to social pressure, if that was the case it could very easily be pressured to change that stance by anti gay activists. there are two sides to every issue, both with activists. not to mention at the time that it was removed, homoosexuality, while becoming more accepted, was by no means subject to mainstream approval. it was in some ways a risky move. the reason it was moved was because after years of research, homosexuality did not contain the major necessary element of a disorder. in order for a behavior to be disorder, it must severely effect a persons life in a negative manner, be that social, occupational or whatever. homosexuals were found to be quite normal in all regards. healthy social lives, productive workers, and generally as happy and content as the next guy. therefore it could not be considered a disorder. also, there was been no scientifically documented treatment for homosexuality that has been proven to be efficient. in earlir years, barbaric treatments were used involving classical and operant conditioning. more humane theories were also tried, but in all cases the success rate was dismal. often trying to "straighten out" (couldnt resist the pun, sorry) homosexuals resulted in severe depression, self destructive behavior and even suicide. in current cases of reparative therapy the success rate is very low, and those that are successful, still fantasize about same sex relations, but remain celibate or are married to an opposite sex partner. they are still homosexual, they are just not practicing homosexuals. you must remember that as a science, psychology makes no moral judgements. morality is outside of the realm of science. psychology operates according to empirical evidence, like any other science. theology and philosophy are for morality, science is for facts. in response to your other questions. errors in the DSM? it is very possible, humans are fallible. but it is by far teh best guide for diagnosis of mental health problems we have available. the information from it has proved to be reliable for many years, and most likey will for many years to come. the next question ties in with the previous ones. science is an ongoing state of change. so yes, the DSM is subject to change. New theories are discovered, old theories adapted. this is true of all science, new theories are constantly advanced and tested and reviewed. if empirical eveidence supports the new theory it is accepted. however change does not denote previous error. in order for a theory to be acceptable it must build upon older accepted theories. older theories are not necessarily invalid, but the new ones are more accurate. there are of course ald theories that are clearly invalid. once again, humans are fallible. please note that the ongoing change and growth which is the cornerstone of science is by no means subject ot whim. no theory or application of that theory is taken seriously by other scientists. until it is rigorously researched, the results of the research are published in peer reviewed scientific journals, and the results msut be replicable by other researchers seperately. the entire process takes a great deal of time. as for the behavior of psychologist-iatrists, it depends on the person. there are quacks in every field.

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