Hello, Dr. João! In the midst of so many searches on the internet, I found an article you wrote talking about homosexuality. I came out as homosexual six months ago, but I suffer from my own unconscious, I've been using psychotherapy for over 10 years, today I'm 18. When I was eight years old, a psychoanalyst "discovered" my homosexuality, tried to reverse it with psychotherapy and imposed the obligation to like girls, even without feeling anything for them. When I was 15 years old, I entered a depressive state that was considered very serious, commonly used medications such as fluoxetine and alprazolam had no effect on my body. And I kept trying to change my sexual orientation, because it is a very big sin in the Christian world, where we are seen as lepers and are separated from everything and everyone.
I also started to suffer from social phobia, which later turned into a state of paranoia similar to schizophrenia, every 30 minutes I suffered from panic attacks and somatizations, such as: vomiting, shortness of breath and tachycardia. After months with the same psychiatrist, who only changed fluoxetine to paroxetine, I went to a neurologist who gave me a range of medications: Amitriptyline, Bupropion, Sertraline and Rivotril. I no longer had panic attacks and the depression eased to the point where I was able to see a psychologist who unfortunately was one of the followers of the new wave of "sexual reversion" which forced me to think and watch heterosexual erotic films so that my psyche could get used to it. with the scene and started to enjoy it… It was catastrophic, all my depression came back and I stopped working again…
Today I am dependent on medication and live on psychotherapy, I don't know what to do anymore, I don't know where to look for help, I don't know what to do anymore, if there is something that can reverse my sexuality, tell me, I can't take so much suffering anymore. I have already tried unsuccessfully to commit suicide three times, please guide me! Thanks! Silva (São Paulo – SP)
The idea of changing a person's sexual orientation is completely outdated. In the past, some psychologists believed this change was possible. They tried to change through reversal therapy, but the scientific literature does not record any success stories. The most they achieved was to stop the gay man from having homosexual sex, but the homosexual desire continued. It is known today that it is not possible to change this desire. The person dies with it.
Since the 1970s, after studies and research, representative and scientific entities of psychologists in the United States of America, France, Spain, Brazil, among others, have concluded that homosexual sexual orientation is neither a disease nor a disorder. , not a perversion, but rather a normal variant of heterosexuality. And for an individual to be emotionally healthy and have a good quality of life, they need to experience their true sexual orientation, that is, who they really are. Therefore, since homosexuality is not a disease, nothing needs to be treated. The psychologist's work must be focused on supporting and welcoming homosexual people so that they can experience their homosexuality overcoming possible barriers, prejudices and discrimination.
Unfortunately, there is a group of psychologists linked to religions, Catholic and evangelical in particular, who confuse religion with psychology. They use the dogmas of religion to develop their professional work proposing a "cure" for homosexuality. From a scientific point of view, this is a huge fraud, as psychology does not recognize that it is possible to reverse sexual orientation and the Brazilian Federal Psychology Council, through Resolution 001/99, prohibits psychologists from using this practice with their clients. .
The results of the work of these psychologists, who promise reversal, are harmful. Side effects are severe behavioral and psychiatric disorders. That's what happened to you. Unfortunately, you are yet another victim of the violence committed by these psychologists. By trying to "cure" something that cannot be cured, they cause serious emotional consequences in their homosexual clients.
I think the path is not suicide. You have to have courage and face life. Creating a coping repertoire against homophobia and knowing how to deal with your homosexuality is the best path for you. To do this, you need to look for a psychology professional who references his practice based on scientific assumptions and not religion. This professional will be able to help you. Being gay is very good and healthy. Be strong and courageous, don't give up on living. Receive my fraternal hug!
*João Batista Pedrosa is a psychologist (CRP 06/31768-3) and author of the book "Segundo Desire" (Iglu). Send your queries and questions to pedrosa@syntony.com.br. Also access your website.
