Psychiatry on a collision course

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jun 19, 2003

Our friend "Shrink," a regular Sound Off contributor, calls attention to the recent decision by the American Psychiatric Association not to remove pedophilia from the standard list of emotional disorders.

You knew that. But take another look at the explanation offered by APA officials. They insist that pedophilia is a disorder, even if not all pedophiles experience emotional distress because of their condition. In other words, even if you're a happy, contented pedophile, you're still emotionally disturbed.

This is significant, because when the APA decided that homosexuality should not be considered a disorder, it was because some homosexuals reported feeling no emotional distress because of their condition. If it didn't cause distress, the APA concluded, it wasn't a disorder.

Something's got to give. Either the APA will eventually conclude that a self-contented pedophile is perfectly OK, or-- let us pray-- they'll realize that emotional distress is not the only reliable indicator of emotional disorder.