What you need to know about Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is a term used to describe the distress that arises when a person believes that their biological sex does not match their gender identity. The level of distress experienced can lead to significant depression and anxiety and may impact daily life.

Gender identity refers to who we are, how we see ourselves, and how we express ourselves. Most people identify as either ‘male’ or ‘female’, and these are called ‘binary’ identities. Some people identify as ‘non-binary’ meaning the concept of gender is not relevant to their identity.

Many people with gender dysphoria have a strong desire to live a life that represents their gender identity. There are many ways to do this, including biological, psychological, and social changes. While gender dysphoria is no longer seen as a mental illness, the distress caused by gender dysphoria can often lead to mental illness. There has been a significant increase to gender clinics in the past decade and the reasons for this are unclear. Issues related to gender dysphoria can manifest in childhood.

treatment there are no known causes of gender dysphoria, but it is well recognised that the concept of gender development is complex. Gender dysphoria is not related to sexual orientation.

reatment for gender dysphoria is complex and lengthy, with significant waiting lists across child and adult services. The treating clinic will complete a comprehensive assessment to confirm the diagnosis of gender dysphoria. Upon completion of assessment, a treatment plan will then be agreed, which can look different for everyone. For some people, confirmation of the diagnosis and the validation of this may be enough.

However, typically, individuals will progress with treatment moving from a social transition to medical intervention. Medical intervention can involve the prescribing of hormone blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical intervention. Individuals may also receive intervention from a speech therapist to help them alter their voice.

There is a significant amount of psychological intervention offered to individuals at all stages of the treatment.

Psychotherapy offers you a safe and confidential space to speak about your feelings and thoughts freely. You will work with your therapist to explore these feelings, and thoughts and develop tailored coping strategies that work for you.

Experienced clinical psychologists and psychotherapists that have supported individuals throughout the different stages of their treatment journey. We work alongside medical teams, doctors, and other services with our client’s consent to provide a tailored care treatment plan.  Through our “right fit” process, we will help you find the right therapist to start your therapy journey today.