Gender Dysphoria Flashcards
What is gender dysphoria?
A condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there is a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity
What is gender dysphoria recognised as?
A medical condition for which treatment is sometimes appropriate. It is NOT a mental illness
When can the first signs of gender dysphoria appear?
At a very young age, for example a child may refuse to wear typical boys or girls clothes or dislike taking part in typical boys or girls games and activities
How can adults with gender dysphoria feel?
Trapped inside a body that does not match their gender identity
How is gender dysphoria diagnosed?
An in depth assessment carried out by two or more specialists, this may require several sessions carried out a few months apart and may involve discussions with people you are close to
What are 5 needs which help diagnose gender dysphoria?
- Clear mismatch between biological sex and gender identity
- Strong desire to change your physical characteristics
- How you’re oping with difficulties
- Feelings and developed overtime
- Support you have
What happens when the child is diagnosed with gender dysphoria?
Staff at the GIC will work to come up with an individual treatment plan, this will include any psychological support that is needed
What does treatment for gender dysphoria aim to do?
Help reduce or remove the distressing feelings of a mismatch between biological sex and gender identity, this can mean different things for different people
Why is it not known how many people experience gender dysphoria?
Because many people with the condition never seek help
How common is gender dysphoria?
A survey of 10,000 people undertaken in 2012 by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that 1% of the population surveyed was gender variant to some extent
What is transsexualism?
The desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to have treatment to make their physical appearance more consistent with their gender identity
What is transvestism?
Where a person occasionally wears clothes typically associated with the opposite gender for a variety of reasons
What is genderqueer?
An umbrella term used to describe gender identities other than man and woman
