Gender dysphoria is a kind of mental health disorder that is linked with several misconceptions. It is typically known as gender identity disorder, caused due to detachment in a person’s assigned birth gender and expressed gender, or in simpler terms the gender they are comfortable or have a sense of belongingness towards. Several people globally experience this particular mental health disorder, however, the sad part is that they are being discriminated against or left alone due to several misconceptions that eventually leads them to experience depression and anxiety.

This piece of content is the perfect guide to learn about these common facts and myths linked with gender dysphoria and what does gender dysphoria feel like, mild gender dysphoria symptoms, types of dysphoria, can gender dysphoria be a phase, can hormone imbalance cause gender confusion, and what causes gender dysphoria.

Common Identifiers Of Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria might not be much common among adults and adolescents but it exists. It is often seen with specific phobia and acute stress. The common signs experienced are as follows:

• A noticeable difference between gender identity or collateral sex characteristics, such as the breast size, voice, and natural facial hair growth. In young kids, there is a distinction in gender identity and secondary sex characteristics.
• A strong wish to get rid of the natural birth genitals or if possible then the secondary sex characteristics. In some cases, the urge is so strong that there is a particular desire to stop the production of secondary sex characteristics.
• A strong urge to have the genitals and secondary sex traits of some other gender.
• A solid need to be treated as another gender.

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Known Facts About Gender Dysphoria

Here are some well known facts about gender dysphoria:

• Children are usually competent to understand their gender identity

As per the recent findings based on studies the phase prior to hitting puberty is vital for a child. This stage is typically a stage or exploration, and a child starts to understand their gender and several other characteristics. A child experiencing the signs of gender dysphoria is diagnosed when they reach the age of 10-13 years. Now, an interesting fact is that children can also manifest signs of gender dysphoria at an early age.

• Becoming a transgender is not a choice

Gender dysphoria is considered as a mental health condition in the latest diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). DSM-5 was reviewed by several psychiatric experts and the development took almost 10 years. However, several people consider being a transgender a choice. But, the reality is that there is no choice between choosing between the assigned natural birth gender and the expressed gender. The feeling is natural and for the sufferer it is a bit complex to control this feeling. However, the truth is for people suffering from gender dysphoria, this certain feeling leads to a satisfactory state as they can be their true selves. Moreover, sometimes this confusion leads such people to suffer from GAD, in which they experience a generalized anxiety.

• Sexual Identity does not depends on gender identity

If we look closely on the definitions of gender identity, we will see it is not the same as gender identity. Gender identity is typically the gender in which a person connects or does not connect. On the other hand, sexual orientation is a particular pattern of allurement and sexual arousal towards other people.

• It depends on the sufferer to change themselves (gender wise)

Now, not every gender dysphoria sufferer is the same when it comes to making life choices or even medical ones. There are various underlying reasons that urges a sufferer to choose to undergo medical procedure, these can be hormone therapy to surgery. Sometimes these surgeries and operations lead to mood imbalances and cause mood disorder and bipolar. A person who does not choose these choices is still considered a gender dysphoric person. To support this fact, a study was conducted in 2011, in which gender dysphoric participants were taken and asked if they have been medically transitioned. Surprisingly, almost 60 percent of participants said that they have medically transitioned to some extent, while 33 percent reported that they have undergone a surgery to transition.

• Transitioning costs a lot of patience and causes complexities

Transitioning is not like moving the magical wand and poof!! You are changed, it comprises several complexities. Despite the bodily changes, the sufferer may experience some legal and social changes as well totally dependent on their expressed gender identity. To overcome this challenge, such people may prefer changing their legal names, and as well as their birth certificates. Moreover, every state in the USA comprises certain rules and requirements linked with gender changing choices. There are certain cases where transitioning can take several years, not just single surgery. Sometimes these surgeries lead to many more other mental health conditions such as ADHD, and Major Depressive Disorder due to the negative impact they have on the sufferer.

• The health plans for transitioning can cost a lot

There are several problems linked with the healthcare sector when it comes to transitioning specifically someone seeking hormone therapy and surgery for gender confirmation. Many common people think that transgender healthcare is not very expensive, however, as per the human rights campaign a rough estimate of a person seeking gender change operations or surgery is in the range of $25,000 to $75,000 which is much higher than a normal surgery.

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Is Hormonal Imbalance Responsible For Causing Gender Dysphoria?

The drawback in this area of gender dysphoria is that there is less work done in the context. However, several studies have been done and have shown different or let’s say mixed results.

One study conducted in 2015 has reported that transgender adolescents seeking care for gender dysphoria usually have psychosocial and physiological traits. The interesting aspect of this study was that it included transfeminine and transmasculine adolescents. The results however, amazed many people, as it showed that the hormone levels, and physiological characteristics of gender dysphoria youngsters was the same as the non transgender adolescents.

Another study conducted in 2018, focused on knowing the genetic link between the gender dysphoria and sex hormone that could be indicated in gender dysphoric women. The study results revealed that there is a noticeable link between the changes in various sex hormones managing the genes and gender dysphoria in the participants. Moreover, there is a possibility that some of these genetic differences may lead to the development of gender dysphoria.

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Triggers Of Gender Dysphoria

There is no single cause so far identified that is responsible for the onset of signs of gender dysphoria. However, there are certain underlying factors such as hormonal influences and genetics in the prenatal development time. Moreover, environmental factors can also be a major cause of development of these signs.

A common example is the prenatal exposure to specific types of chemicals that have a strong history with the disruptions in the normal development of sex characteristics prior to birth. Moreover, there is research based proof that indicates genes also play a major role in the development of symptoms of gender dysphoria. There are some types of gender dysphoria as well known as body dysphoria, mind dysphoria, and social dysphoria.

Can Hormones Affect Gender Identity?

Gender is something that several people are sensitive about in the present times. However, several researchers now think that gender plays an important role in the development of gender dysphoria. Additionally, gender identity also revolves around the fact how we perceive and express ourselves with this area. This is because gender is based on a large scale or range meaning that people can be identified with so many genders. But, there are many underlying factors that can impact on someone’s gender identity such as our biological factors including our hormones. But, we usually determine gender identity based on far more than just the involvement of hormones. Moreover, to stabilize the hormones, experts make use of medication management to overcome the impact of signs of gender identity.

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Conclusion!

Gender dysphoria is a mental health disorder that affects several people worldwide but is much likely to be seen as discriminated against and usually ignored. However, this is a type of mental health disorder that needs special medical attention. The sad part is that there are several myths linked with gender dysphoria which are not true and need to be discussed without any hesitation. If you want clarity about this widely spread mental health disorder then do not hesitate to get in touch with the telehealth services of Orange Coast Psychiatry.