Gender Dysphoria in Massachusetts & New York
What is Gender Dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria is the feeling of discomfort or distress one feels due to a mismatch between gender identity—the personal sense of one’s own gender—and the sex assigned at birth.
Who May Experience Gender Dysphoria?
A physician will assign a sex at birth, usually based on external genitalia. When a sex assigned at birth does not match gender identity, one may be considered transgender.
Some people who are transgender may experience gender dysphoria, meaning they will feel the psychological distress due to the conflict between sex assigned at birth and their gender identity.
People who experience gender dysphoria commonly identity as transgender.
What Are the Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria?
Those with gender dysphoria may also show signs of the following:
- A strong desire to be treated as the other gender
- A strong desire to be of the other gender
- A strong desire for sex characteristics of the other gender
- A strong desire to be rid of your own sex characteristics
- A conviction that one has feelings and reactions of the other gender
- A disconnect between the experienced gender and sex characteristics
- Significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other areas of functioning
How is Gender Dysphoria Diagnosed?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides for one overarching diagnosis of gender dysphoria with separate specific criteria for children and for adolescents and adults.
Gender dysphoria in adolescents or adults is considered when there is a disconnect between one’s experienced or expressed gender and the assigned gender at birth and it lasts at least six months. They may show other symptoms as listed above.
Is Gender Dysphoria the same as Gender Identity?
Gender identity was a common term previously used to describe this condition. However, the term gender dysphoria focuses on one’s discomfort as the problem, rather than identity.
A diagnosis for gender dysphoria was created to help people get access to necessary health care and effective treatment. This term is intended to be more descriptive than the one that was previously used, gender identity disorder.
Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association to diagnose mental conditions.
When Can Gender Dysphoria Occur?
The onset of gender dysphoria is different for every person. For some, it may start in childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. This would be considered early onset.
If you have late onset, you might experience gender dysphoria around the time of puberty or later in life. There may also be times in your life where you no longer experience gender dysphoria followed by a recurrence.
Your provider can help you work through these periods of your life, no matter the onset.
What Causes Gender Dysphoria?
The causes of gender dysphoria are unknown but a gender identity likely reflects genetic and biological, environmental, and cultural factors.
Implications of Gender Dysphoria
If you experience gender dysphoria, you may be at risk for:
- Preoccupation that gets in the way of everyday life
- Discrimination
- Pressure to dress in a certain way
- Hardships at school or work
- Fear of stigma
- Risk of anxiety, depression, suicide, or self-harm
- Harassment or teasing
Schedule a Gender Dysphoria Consultation
If you feel that you may be under stress and experiencing gender dysphoria, we can help. We have providers who are specially trained to provide the care you deserve.
If you have significant barriers due to your gender identity, we can help you with your physical and mental health. Give us a call at (617) 221-5040 for a consultation today.
This content has been reviewed by board-certified psychiatrist Christopher Robertson, MD.
