158. Illness Identity and the Capture of Psychiatry with Dr. Kristopher Kaliebe

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kristopher Kaliebe, a child, adult, and forensic psychiatrist known for his critical stance on “gender-affirming care.” We delve into the complexities surrounding the current landscape of gender identity and the implications for mental health care. Dr. Kaliebe shares his journey into this contentious field, highlighting his concerns about the medicalization of gender dysphoria and the potential harm it poses to vulnerable youth.

We explore the concept of "illness identity," where young people may gravitate towards labels that define their struggles, often leading to over-diagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Dr. Kaliebe emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances behind statements like "I feel like a woman" or "I feel like a boy," urging listeners to consider the psychological factors at play. We also discuss the troubling trend of social transition among children and the societal pressures that contribute to this phenomenon.

Throughout our conversation, we question the integrity of professional organizations that have adopted advocacy over science, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives in psychiatric practice. This episode aims to shed light on the urgent need for a more balanced dialogue in mental health care, encouraging professionals and parents alike to critically evaluate the current approaches to gender identity and treatment.

Kristopher Kaliebe, MD is a Professor of Psychiatry at University of South Florida, in Tampa Florida. He is Board Certified in Psychiatry, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. He is a Distinguished Fellow at the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP).

His clinical work has been primarily in University clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and juvenile corrections. At USF Dr. Kaliebe instructs medical students, psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, and forensic psychiatry fellows.

From 2013-2021 he served as co-chair of AACAP’s Media Committee. From 2016 to 2022 he was the liaison between the AACAP and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Kaliebe’s publications and presentations include the effects of digital technologies, gender, psychotherapy, juvenile, corrections, mind-body medicine, nutrition, and mental health in primary care settings. He is concerned about naïve interventionalism in medicine.

Restore Childhood: https://restorechildhood.com/ 

 00:00 Start

[00:01:43] Gender-affirming care skepticism.

[00:03:39] Early onset gender dysphoria.

[00:08:10] Gender dysphoria diagnosis concerns.

[00:13:07] Illness identity versus stigma.

[00:16:44] Illness identity and social transition.

[00:21:08] Gender identity and social transition.

[00:25:37] Gender identity's incoherent evolution.

[00:29:31] Symbolic equivalence in identity.

[00:32:01] Comfort and identity in gender.

[00:38:01] Psychiatry's response to advocacy pressures.

[00:39:49] Advocacy versus science in medicine.

[00:45:34] Institutional takeover as a virus.

[00:48:31] Emotional communication in media.

[00:51:05] Classical liberalism in education.

[00:55:24] Parental caution in therapy choices.

[01:00:06] Overprotecting youth in society.

[01:05:38] Building identity through creativity.

[01:08:50] Consequences of overprotective parenting.

[01:10:32] Consequences in parenting.

[01:15:50] Male identity and societal challenges.

[01:18:41] Restore Childhood initiative.

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