Textbook Of Homosexuality And Mental Health

"Textbook of Homosexuality and Mental Health" brings together in one volume the entire range of material and variety of perspectives concerning homosexuality and mental health. With more than 50 chapters written by leaders in the field, this book is the most complete review of the topics of homosexuality and mental health and treatment of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transsexuals to date. Starting from the belief that homosexuality is a normal variation of human sexuality and not a mental illness, this revolutionary book presents current information on homosexuality from a mental health and medical perspective. Sections focus on demographic, cultural, genetic, biological, and psychological perspectives; development throughout the life cycle; relationships and families; psychotherapy; multicultural identities and communities; professional education; and medical care. A variety of special issues, such as sexuality, substance abuse, violence, suicide, religion, and HIV/AIDS, are discussed. Also included are several unique chapters that cover topics not readily available elsewhere, among them transsexuality; minority gay, lesbian, and bisexual people; the impact of the sexual orientation of the therapist; latency development in prehomosexual boys; and clinical issues specific to psychotherapy with gay, lesbian, and bisexual patients. The clinical and theoretical richness contained in this volume makes it an accessible and invaluable reference for clinicians and the general public alike. Chapters complement each other, while providing enough information to be useful if read on their own.

LGBTQ Mental Health: International Perspectives and Experiences expands our understanding of mental health by considering the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ communities in the Majority World. Increased globalization and migration has highlighted the need for mental health clinicians to better understand these communities' experiences and needs. This book provides an overview of LGBTQ mental health in non-Western countries or regions that have heretofore received little attention in the psychology literature. Chapters focus on the cultural, social, legal, political, and psychological experiences of various LGBTQ subpopulations in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Jamaica, Russia, Mongolia, India, Malaysia, Thailand, and sub-Saharan Africa. Contributors summarize existing research on mental health outcomes for LGBTQ individuals in these countries or regions; offer key insights that challenge culturally-specific conceptions of normative, LGBTQ mental health and behavior; and offer recommendations for further research and mental health practice with these populations.

In 1973, after several years of bitter dispute, the Board of Trustees of the American Psychiatric Association decided to remove homosexuality from its official list of mental diseases. Infuriated by the Board's action, a substantial number of dissident psychiatrists charged the association's leadership with capitulating to the pressures of Gay Liberation groups, and forced the board to submit its decision to a referendum of the full APA membership. Ronald Bayer presents a political analysis of the psychiatric battle involved, from the first confrontations organized by gay demonstrators at psychiatric conventions to the referendum initiated by orthodox psychiatrists. The result is a fascinating view of the individuals who led the debate and the fundamental questions that engaged them: social and cultural values, the definition of disease, and the nature of sexuality. Available for the first time in paperback, the book includes a new afterword by the author.

A major text for clinicians and researchers who have an interest in homosexuality and homosexual patients with mental disorders, this book is an up-to-date review as well as a handbook covering the full range of affirmative treatments and therapies for lesbian and gay clients. Expert contributors look at problems caused by stigma and homophobic societal attitudes and discuss methods that can be used to work with gay clients in a positive context. Other issues of particular importance in working with lesbians and gay men are addressed.

Over the last three decades, the visibility -- and public acceptance -- of self-identified lesbian women and gay men and bisexual and transgender individuals has increased dramatically, making it more important than ever to understand the dynamics of their relationships. This timely work, part of Volume 21 in the Review of Psychiatry series, offers compelling facts and insights in a concise yet comprehensive format, bringing together the latest research and clinical practice in this rapidly evolving field. Chapter 1 details normal adolescent development and the extra challenges imposed by the development of a sexual identity that is different from that of most of their peers, including the lack of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender role models. Chapter 2 presents a rare discussion about theoretical models (managing a concealable stigma, minority stress and resilience, and coping with multiple minority statuses) and empirical data on aging as a stigmatized sexual minority, including the similarities and differences of aging between the sexual minority communities and the heterosexual community and special issues in working with aging ethnic minority gay men, lesbians, and bisexual persons. Chapter 3 breaks new ground by detailing the expanding role of the psychiatrist or other mental health professional as forensic expert and therapist -- requiring not only an in-depth understanding of lesbian and gay mental health issues, but also the often-daunting task of encouraging and teaching judges and juries to better understand these issues as they relate to discriminatory laws in child custody/visitation, workplace harassment/other discrimination, domestic violence, and immigration/asylum. Chapter 4 covers both the three types of etiological theories on homosexuality presented in the scientific literature and an historical overview of clinical attitudes toward homosexuality, from early modern theories (Karl Ulrichs, Krafft-Ebing, and Freud) to the present day, reporting on some adverse side effects of sexual conversion treatment that have been either overlooked or ignored in the reparative therapy literature and raising important clinical and ethical concerns. Chapter 5 examines the public and professional evolution of thinking toward U.S. African race and toward sexual orientation with regard to the reevaluation of the psychiatric diagnosis and treatment of gender identity disorder. Among other topics, the author presents a fascinating discussion of differences between sexual orientation and gender (e.g., anatomical, social, hormonal, psychological, legal, or political), and distinctions between transgenderism and homosexuality, including an illuminating case example. Thought-provoking and informative, this compact volume will be welcomed by residents, clinicians, and students alike as they continue to look for ways to better differentiate health from pathology and successfully treat these remarkably diverse individuals.

"A provocative collection of texts and artwork by mental health consumers and providers alike, HEADCASE: LBGTQ Writers & Artists on Mental Health and Wellness breaks new ground in documenting issues in LGBTQ mental health care with superbly written and powerfully rendered personal and political stories and images."--Back cover.

Why would a young, beautiful, talented country music star want to end her life? It seems like a mystery to most people, but before coming out, that's exactly what openly gay singer Chely Wright wanted to do. And thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people have felt the same way. Discover some of the factors that lead to mental health issues for gay people, and find out steps that can be taken to help reduce or eliminate these threats. Take advantage of groups such as the Trevor Project and other organizations aimed at helping young LGBT people and their friends make positive choices about their mental health.