What is Gender Dysphoria?
Exploring the world of sex, gender and identity
Ask yourself a few questions:
Have you had discomfort fitting in to your role as a man or a woman?
Let's review the terminology:
- The term “gender” is used to describe the characteristics “of women and men, which are socially constructed, while sex refers to those which are biologically determined” (World Health Organization, 2002, p. 4). This is the physical gender we’re born with.
- “Gender roles” is used to describe how society and our culture outline how males and females should interact, behave, dress, think and speak.
- Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person “must exhibit a strong and persistent cross-gender identification (not merely a desire for any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex)” (Psych Central, 2014, p. 1). This is also known as “transgender” in the medical and social communities.
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What causes gender dysphoria?
Science is still trying to decide how and why gender dysphoria occurs. Gender variance has been recorded in history throughout time all over the world. While we are unclear of the cause of gender variance, “there is scientific research linking it with the neuro-development of the brain prior to birth and no scientific evidence linking child abuse or other negative life experiences with transgenderism or transsexualism” (Reed, 2010). This is important to remember!!
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Did I choose this?
While we are not sure what the exact causes of gender dysphoria are, we do know that it is not a choice. It is simply another variation of human diversity.
This is just a phase: No, this is not just a phase or a mere disagreement with the gender roles that society has deemed “normal.” Actually, to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria, there must “be a marked difference between the individual’s expressed/experienced gender and the gender others would assign him or her, and it must continue for at least six months” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 4). Gender dysphoria causes major distresses in a person’s life; it is not something you’ll simply outgrow.
All children who display cross-gender behaviors are transgender: No, actually it is quite normal for a child to experiment and be curious about the other gender or even play with the other gender’s toys.
Does this mean I’m gay? No, people who have gender dysphoria are not homosexuals. Basically, “your internal sense of your gender is not the same as your sexual orientation” (Goldberg, M.D., 2014). Simply put, you’re someone who is attracted to the opposite sex, but you are not comfortable with your own sex or gender.
Transgender people can be “cured:” Shockingly enough, the medical community is divided when it comes to the idea that “gender variance in children should be or can be changed by psychological or psychiatric techniques” (Alan, Roberts, & Wells, 2012, p. 2). Some doctors feel that children can be trained to be comfortable in their gender roles; many do not because it can cause more distress, depression and confusion. Gender variant children should never be treated like they have a disease or mental illness that needs to be cured.
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Questions to ask your doctor
Do I have gender dysphoria?
The big question should be if the symptoms you’re feeling or displaying match up to gender dysphoria or not. Common symptoms of gender dysphoria include:
- insisting you are the opposite sex (in children mostly);
- you feel a strong dislike for and even stronger wish to change your genitalia because they do not fit you;
- strong desire to mask or hide physical characteristics of your sex, such as breasts and body hair;
- and you are more comfortable with and identify with the opposite sex.
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Ok, so I think I'm transgender, now what?
Build your support system!! Review all the treatment options available to you and that you are comfortable with. From talking therapy, to hormones, to surgery, there is a wide array of options to help you deal with any distress or disruption to your daily life.
I have treatment and support options!
Getting support is important! Recent reports estimate that “”that 71% of people with gender dysphoria will have some other mental health diagnosis in their lifetime” (Goldberg, M.D., 2014, p. 3). This includes anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, suicide and more. This is preventable! Get help getting comfortable with you are and your choices.
Therapy: Therapy is intended to relieve the distress that gender dysphoria can cause. Talking with a licensed therapist can help the person decide what further steps they want to take; address any mental illnesses earlier; and finally help support you in all your possible options and decisions.
Puberty blockers: A young person in early puberty with gender dysphoria might ask to be prescribed hormones (testosterone or estrogen) that would suppress physical changes.
Hormones: Teens or adults may take the hormones estrogen or testosterone to develop traits of the sex that they identify with.
Surgery: Some people choose to have complete sex-reassignment surgery, but not everyone. Some people choose to only have some of the available procedures to bring their looks to better match their feelings.
Finding the right support for you
When looking for the right counselor, look at their qualifications. Note important accomplishments including "experience, specialist courses attended and membership with any professional bodies related to gender dysphoria" (Drummond, 2013, p. 12). Finding the counselor who can guide you in the right direction and who is sensitive to the changes and struggles of transgender people is crucial.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Call the local hotline at: 855-345-TGMI
Find support for you and your family at www.community.pflag.org/transgender
Photo credit: http://boxersandbinders.com/2014/06/coming-out-as-transgender.html
What is Gender Dysphoria: By Michael Mays
References
Alan, C., Roberts, G., & Wells, K. (2012). Safe, caring, and inclusive schools for transsexual and gender variant students: A guide for teachers. Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities, 11, 2.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Drummond, A. (2013). Counselling for gender dysphoria. Retrieved from http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/gender-identity.html
Goldberg, M.D., J. (2014, September 24). Gender dysphoria: What it is and how it's treated. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/gender-dysphoria
Psych Central. (2014). Gender dysphoria symptoms. Retrieved from http://psychcentral.com/disorders/gender-dysphoria-symptoms/
Reed, K. (Director). (2010). Prodigal Sons [DVD]. United States.
World Health Organization. (2002). Gender. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/gender/en/
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