WHO: Revision of ICD-11 (gender incongruence/transgender) – questions and answers (Q&A)

Dr Lale Say, Coordinator, Adolescents and at-Risk Populations Team at the World Health Organization discusses changes in the classification of gender incongruence (transgender) in the new ICD-11.

[sugardares]

No actual explanation as to why it's not a mental health issue... Is dysphoria not a mental health issue either? Why are there referrals for treatment and therapy if it isn't a mental health issue?

[herpderp]

WTF was the explanation? "We now have a better understanding" is not an explanation.

[mwl]

I recently heard a debate where an activst quoted this from the WHO as validating their view on gender. I came here to become more informed, and lo and behold, the only reason you give is "to reduce stigma". I also see that activists have been pushing for this change...

It's very disappointing to see this all just appears politically motivated, and now this is being repeated as gospel.

[craigbee]

It's not a health disorder but removing it from mental health classification will help individuals seek medical interventions?

[freddiesimmons]

What makes it not a mental health issue? What makes something a disorder?

Surely it cant be just for stigma purposes?

[budthebud]

What science backs the claim it's not mental?

[nooshindeylami]

STIGMA?! Med student here! It's not about the stigma! We are talking about people who cannot accept their own Natural and healthy bodies, have a higher chance of developing depressive disorder and anxiety, higher rates of suicidal ideations, suicide attempts (which btw does not just go away after reassignment surgery) and those who have had a higher rate of being sexually abused as a child. And you are telling me that's not a mental disorder?! It's like saying schizophrenia is not a mental disorder just because STIGMA! Can we keep medicine out of your political agendas please?!

[gerardachillesobnial]

There was a better understanding, ok, fine. But what is it, then? Surely it wasn't just taken out because of the stima it brings? Any better explanation?

[seenuhello]

A person who is trans feels they are in a body of the wrong gender? Compared to someone whose mental feeling of gender identity coincides with their body, this seems to be problem. There's nothing wrong with the body of a trans person, is there? So it would seem like a mental problem was all that was left to go with. If it isn't a mental problem or a bodily problem, what is it?

[nothingman]

So body integrity identity disorder (apotemnophilia) is not a disorder then either.

[jkorta]

So doesn't this make the surgery cosmetic and hormone treatments unneccessary and no longer funded by tax payers? I mean, tax funds are not utilized for women who do not like their uneven breasts or to give bald men hair.

[milhouse]

The fact that they need to "transition" means that there is something wrong and not normal about them.

[wawawawawa]

Can someone explain to me what the definition of gender is exactly and how it’s different from the definition of gender roles/norms/stereotypes? People like to say how other people confuse the definition of gender with sex, and I believe the people saying that are confusing the definition of gender with the definition of gender roles/norms/stereotypes.

[StandardRacing]

So if a man believes he is a woman or a woman believes she is a man then you are not mentally ill? What happens when people start believing they are other animals or mythological creatures? Are we supposed to humor them in the name of science? When a health organization ignores science because of political and social pressure then it loses all credibility.

[me_lt]

"We have better understood that this was not a mental disorder" not gonna go in depth on that at all? Just saying we figured it out, no explanation needed doesn't really change my opinion at all or reduce stigma

[noellemorel]

Placed to a different chapter to reduce the stigma... Should we do the same for other mental disorders, to reduce stigma? Schizophrenia for ex.

[jkorta]

Free transition operations, but my elderly (not wealthy) mother had to pay for her own false teeth - you know, in order to eat! And she was diabetic!

[UlvenK]

So they took it out because of social pressure? lol, amusing

[prata]

How is it not under mental health? Why is it under sexual health? What was the "better understanding" of "gender incongruence"?

[TheNecessaryEvil]

If it's not a disorder, then health insurance shouldn't cover meds or surgeries mwahahahaha