Report of the DSM-V Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group
November 2008
Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D.
This work group functions primarily as three overarching sub-work groups: Sexual Dysfunctions, Paraphilias, and Gender Identity Disorders.
Members of the work group have been performing diagnostic literature reviews. The Sexual Dysfunctions sub-work group is reviewing the literature on 8 core diagnoses; the Paraphilias sub-work group is reviewing the literature on 9 core diagnoses; the Gender Identity Disorders (GID) sub-work group is reviewing the diagnostic literature on 1 diagnosis (partitioned by childhood, adolescence, and adulthood). The GID sub-work group is also working on a conceptual literature review evaluating the rationale for GID as a psychiatric diagnosis. The Paraphilias sub-work group has completed literature reviews on Pedophilia, Transvestic Fetishism, Fetishism, and Paraphilias NOS. The Sexual Dysfunctions sub-work group has completed literature reviews on Premature Ejaculation and Male Orgasmic Disorder. Other review papers are anticipated for completion by the end of the 2008 calendar year.
The Paraphilias sub-work group has developed and is considering a proposal that might serve as an overarching framework to better distinguish the concepts of paraphilic behaviors and paraphilic disorders.
In addition to preliminary discussion of the completed reviews, the Sexual Dysfunctions sub-work group has been attending to the basis of reform of specific diagnostic criteria, with an emphasis on greater descriptive precision (e.g., duration criteria), the merit of current subtyping, relational parameters as a proposed specifier, and limitations of current data sets (e.g., largely constricted to adults with a heterosexual sexual orientation).
Apart from the literature reviews, the Gender Identity Disorders sub-work group has addressed feedback from interested advocacy groups and other stakeholders. It has developed a formal survey seeking input from various organizations that advocate for and represent transgender adults. Surveys were sent to more than 60 organizations, with a closing date for response in October, 2008.
The work group is planning for its next face-to-face meeting in which the literature reviews will be appraised, proposed changes to diagnostic criteria reviewed, and secondary data analyses and field trials planned.
Members of the work group will begin presentations at various professional meetings, starting in October, 2008 (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry), followed by presentations at the Society for Sex Therapy and Research (April, 2009), the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (May, 2009), World Professional Association for Transgendered Health (June, 2009), and the International Academy of Sex Research (August, 2009).