What is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender Dysphoria Definition:

Gender dysphoria, also known as gender identity disorder, is a condition where a person experiences incongruence between their assigned gender and their felt or expressed gender. This can manifest in many ways, including but not limited to: a desire to dress and present oneself in a way that is consistent with their felt gender, a desire to be referred to by preferred pronouns that align with their felt gender, and/or a desire to undergo medical interventions (such as hormone therapy or sex reassignment surgery) to physically align their body with their felt gender.

Gender dysphoria signs and symptoms may vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. Some people with gender dysphoria may not experience any significant distress or impairment in functioning, while others may experience significant distress or functional impairment. It is important to note that gender dysphoria is not the same as being transgender; not all transgender people experience gender dysphoria, and vice versa.

There is no one-size-fits-all definition of gender dysphoria, as each individual experiences it in their own way. However, there are some common signs and symptoms that may be experienced by many individuals with gender dysphoria.

Signs and symptoms of gender dysphoria can include:

- A strong desire to be of a different gender from the one assigned at birth
- A strong preference for wearing clothes typical of the opposite gender
- A strong dislike of certain body parts (e.g., chest or genitalia) that are typically associated with the assigned gender
- A strong desire to have different body parts (e.g., chest surgery or hormone therapy) that are typically associated with the opposite gender
- A strong desire to be treated as the opposite gender
- A strong preference for the company of people of the opposite gender
- A strong disinterest in activities or toys that are typically associated with the assigned gender
- A strong dislike of one's own sexual orientation

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for gender dysphoria, as each individual experiences it in their own way and will therefore have different treatment needs. However, there are some common treatments that may be used to help alleviate the distress associated with gender dysphoria.

Treatments for gender dysphoria can include:

- Psychotherapy: This can help individuals explore their gender identity and expression, and work through any related issues such as anxiety, depression, or body image issues.
- Hormone therapy: This involves taking hormones (usually testosterone or estrogen) to physically align the body with the felt gender. This is often done in conjunction with other treatments such as surgery.
- Surgery: This involves surgical interventions to physically align the body with the felt gender. This is often done in conjunction with other treatments such as hormone therapy.
- Support groups: This can provide a supportive and safe environment for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others who may be going through similar things.

If you are experiencing symptoms of gender dysphoria, it is important to seek a professional to help you through everything. Contact Matt McTeague today to discuss how he can help you.