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Is Attraction Towards Same Gender A Sign Of Homosexuality?

Posted on Fri, 20 Jan 2017

Question: I need to ask a psychatrist about sexual conversion therapy for my nephew

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Please give any details pertinent to the case and I will give you my thoughts.

Dr. Sheppe

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (35 minutes later)

He is 27 years old, professional engineer, have been struggling with this issue for sometime , his physical figure, body, sexual tunction are all nornal it is only he has been obessed with thoughts that he can not have relationships with the other sex, etc... i talked to him and realised that when he was teenager he was watching too much of homo films then his main friends at tgr age of 8- 14 were female relatives because these the only available at that time in the neighborhood . He is trying now to fix this usingBehavioural treatment if possible.
I know what is being said in some Western countries and some lobbies about preventing conversion which we do not agree with, in my culture here in Asia we believe such cases should and can be treated and i had seen several such treated cases .
Need yiur advice on way firward.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for this information.

Homosexuality is no longer viewed by the field of medicine and psychiatry as an illness. It is a biological and genetic tendency with evolutionary origins. It is not possible to convert a homosexual to a heterosexual, just as it is not possible to convert a heterosexual to a homosexual, through behavioral means. Studies have shown this is not only impossible, but it causes severe irreversible psychological harm to patients. It causes suffering, and it does not work. The best way forward is for everyone to accept that your nephew is a homosexual and that this is normal and healthy.

Dr. Sheppe

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (3 hours later)

I do not agree , from exper

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
This is the consensus statement from the leading experts in the world from the XXXXXXX Psychological Association:

"There are no studies of adequate scientific rigor to conclude whether or not recent SOCE [sexual orientation change efforts]...work to change a person’s sexual orientation. Scientifically rigorous older work in this area (e.g., Birk, Huddleston, Miller, & Cohler, 1971; XXXXXXX 1978; McConaghy, 1969, 1976; McConaghy, Proctor, & Barr, 1972; XXXXXXX 1974, 1975) found that sexual orientation (i.e., erotic attractions and sexual arousal oriented to one sex or the other, or both) was unlikely to change due to efforts designed for this purpose...Although sound data on the safety of SOCE are extremely limited, some individuals reported being harmed by SOCE. Distress and depression were exacerbated. Belief in the hope of sexual orientation change followed by the failure of the treatment was identified as a significant cause of distress and negative self-image (Beckstead & Morrow, 2004; Shidlo & Schroeder, 2002)."

http://www.apa.org/about/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx

This will not work and is likely to cause depression and negative self-image in your nephew.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)

I am very well aware of their positin on this issue but i believe scientifically not conclusivel, especially many states for the past couplr if decades forbid such treatment plus seriousresearch has been constrained for a reason or another!

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Can you find or cite any scientific study that shows conversion therapy is in any way effective? The medical community does not know of any. In fact, studies show that it is extremely psychologically damaging.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private web address below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private web address: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng