Ego-dystonic sexual orientation

Egodystonic sexual orientation is an egodystonic condition. The World Health Organization lists egodystonic sexual orientation in the ICD-10, under "Psychological and behavioural disorders associated with sexual development and orientation". The WHO describes it thus:

The gender identity or sexual preference (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or prepubertal) is not in doubt, but the individual wishes it were different because of associated psychological and behavioural disorders, and may seek treatment in order to change it. (F66.1)

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The WHO applies the following note to the entirety of part F66: "Sexual orientation by itself is not to be regarded as a disorder."^[1]

The diagnostic category of "ego-dystonic homosexuality" was removed from the American Psychiatric Association's DSM in 1987 (with the publication of the DSM-III-R), but still potentially remains in the DSM-IV under the category of "sexual disorder not otherwise specified" including "persistent and marked distress about one’s sexual orientation”.

The Chinese Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders includes ego-dystonic homosexuality, but does not include ego-dystonic heterosexuality, bisexuality, or prepubertal sexuality.^[2] The American Psychological Association has officially opposed the category of ego-dystonic homosexuality since 1987.^[3]

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