Gender Dysphoria
Understanding and Navigating Gender Dysphoria
Gender Dysphoria Treatment with Thrive
Gender dysphoria is diagnosed by evaluating an individual’s distress over their gender identity versus their assigned gender, using DSM-5 criteria. This diagnosis helps access relevant support and treatments.
How does Thrive treat Gender Dysphoria?
At Thrive, we support clients with gender dysphoria through various approaches, including recognition, psychological support, and affirmation. Our supportive groups and affirming clinicians provide a safe space for clients to share experiences and heal within a community.
Our virtual treatment connects gender-diverse individuals, offering a solution for those who face challenges like anxiety or depression, making it difficult to access in-person services. Features like Zoom filters, pronoun affirmation, avatars, and the option to turn off cameras enhance the virtual therapy experience, particularly beneficial for clients dealing with dysphoria.
What are the best therapy options for Gender Dysphoria?
01
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help those with gender dysphoria address negative thoughts and beliefs about their gender, reduce anxiety and depression, and learn healthy coping strategies. In the treatment of gender dysphoria, CBT can help people change self-critical thoughts, address gender-related fears, and build resilience against societal and self-imposed gender pressures. CBT can improve mental well-being, help people develop a more positive relationship with gender identity, and make transitioning, if desired, easier.
02
Gender-affirming therapy is designed to support people with gender dysphoria in their gender identity exploration and transition. It supports a person’s true gender identity, helps them develop coping skills, and enables them to make informed choices about medical treatments like hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries. This therapy also offers a safe place to discuss challenges and discrimination faced by transgender and gender-diverse people, improving mental well-being and their connection with their gender identity.
03
When someone has gender dysphoria, family therapy creates a safe space for family members to provide emotional support and learn about gender diversity. By involving the family, therapy can reduce stress and isolation for transgender and gender-diverse people, making their home environment more supportive. It also helps families navigate the challenges of the person’s gender transition and promotes healthier, more inclusive relationships, which can significantly improve the person’s well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gender Dysphoria?
The DSM-5 defines three main types of gender dysphoria:
- Gender dysphoria in children
- Gender dysphoria in adolescents and adults
- Gender dysphoria not otherwise specified
The first two diagnoses categorize gender dysphoria by age. The third category encompasses various experiences of gender dysphoria that don’t fit neatly into the above two categories.
The main symptoms of gender dysphoria are ongoing feelings of distress or discomfort with
- One’s gender as assigned at birth
- One’s body (specifically primary/secondary sex characteristics)
- One’s expected gender roles
These symptoms can cause emotional distress, anxiety, and depression and affect a person’s ability to function in the world, highlighting the importance of providing gender-affirming care and support to those experiencing gender dysphoria.
According to the DSM-5, gender dysphoria is diagnosed in 0.005–0.014% of people assigned male at birth and 0.002–0.003% of people assigned female at birth worldwide. However, the prevalence of gender dysphoria varies between different groups, and it’s not easy to pinpoint due to underreporting and differences in diagnosis. As society becomes more aware and accepting of gender diversity, more people are getting diagnosed and receiving the care and support they need.
Being transgender or having gender dysphoria isn’t a choice; it’s a fundamental part of who a person is. The causes of gender dysphoria aren’t completely clear but are likely a mix of genetics, hormones, and environment.
Yes. Anyone can have gender dysphoria, though it most commonly affects transgender and gender-diverse people. Those who don’t experience a mismatch between their gender assigned at birth and gender identity won’t be diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
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