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Medical and Psychiatric Perspectives on Human Sexual Behavior

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Sexuality and Medicine

Part of the book series: Philosophy and Medicine ((PHME,volume 22))

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Abstract

Other than somewhat improved anatomical and physiological understanding, in the areas of human sexuality medicine and psychiatry have not progressed much beyond the 19th century situation described by Duffy. Improved behavioral science research has overturned most traditional medico-psychiatric theories of sexual disorder (see e.g. [6, 7, 49]). Psychiatrists squabble over theories of sexual disorder in debates marked by a near total absence of scientifically credible non-anecdotal evidence. Bleeding, purging, sweating, and the like now take the form of catharsis on the therapist’s couch, the bizarre cross-dressing therapies which, although psychologically debilitating [61], have become common in the treatment of gender dysphoria, etc. The inclusion of the paraphilias in DSM-III [3] is supported only by anecdotal or wishful evidence that fails to meet minimal scientific evidential standards [53, 54, 56]. The efficacy of psychotherapeutic techniques is unknown, and problems of control virtually preclude any objective empirical evaluation [26]. What would count as a cure is hopelessly obscure [52].

While the new [19th C.] scientific methodology led to discarding traditional theories, unfortunately not enough scientific knowledge existed to provide medicine with an alternative. In frustration and despair, the profession intensified its debates over medical theories and applied its traditional therapeutics — bleeding, purging, vomiting, sweating and blistering — even more drastically.

John Duffy ([17], p. 4)

What other medical condition requires that you wear rubber tits and dress up for a year as treatment?

Pamela, a pre-operative transsexual

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Frederick Suppe

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  1. Institute of Religion, and Center for Ethics, Medicine, and Public Issues, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Earl E. Shelp

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Suppe, F. (1987). Medical and Psychiatric Perspectives on Human Sexual Behavior. In: Shelp, E.E. (eds) Sexuality and Medicine. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3725-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3725-3_2

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