Gender Dysphoria Keynote

Question 1

Sex, gender, gender identity definitions

Answer 1

Physical aspects of assigned sex, chromosomal and anatomical characteristics
Behaviours, interests, preferences, personality traits
Subjective, feeling of belonging to one, both or another gender

Question 2

Gender dysphoria

Answer 2

Distress resulting from an incongruence between assigned and experienced gender

Question 3

Diagnosis

Answer 3

Present for at least 6 months

-desire or insistence to be the other gender
-preference for cross-dressing
-preference for cross-gender roles
-preference for toys and games
-preference for playmates
-aversion of typically gender congruent roles and behaviours
-dislike of one’s sexual anatomy
-desire primary sex characteristics experiences gender

Question 4

Role of mental health professional

Answer 4

Creating safe spaces for exploration
Counselling of possible uncertainty
Providing care and support for co-existing problems

Question 5

Incongruence in adolescence

Answer 5

Increase in problems
Variation in identification and expression
Alternative developmental routes
- body experience through puberty
-sexuality
-treatment desires

Question 6

Clinical management

Answer 6

First diagnostic phase - no medical interventions
Early puberty = extended diagnostic phase - puberty suppression - fully reversible
2nd diagnostic phase (15 years) - gender affirming hormones - partially reversible 2nd diagnostic
Surgical phase (18 years) - gender affirming surgery - irreversible

Question 7

Assessment

Answer 7

Psychological functioning
Gender identity
Social functioning
Psychosexual functioning
Providing information
Physical functioning
Cognitive functioning

Question 8

Role of mentally health professional in adolescence

Answer 8

Gender exploration and exploring treatment
Burden and capacity assessment
Ongoing diagnostic process
Preparing and evaluation of social transition
Preparing and evaluation of gender affirming hormonal treatment
Preparing and exploring surgical options and desires

Question 9

Relevance of study

Answer 9

To prove it actually exists
Recognition
Access to healthcare
Insurance
Public policy
More knowledge and family acceptance

Question 10

Men and women differences

Answer 10

Xx and xy chromosomes
See differences in nature vs nurture and how we respond to things and our brain function

Question 11

Sexuality at birth theory

Answer 11

Prenatal genetic and hormonal influences - male or female sexual identity
Leads to bias in interaction with environment

Question 12

Potential harms of discussing

Answer 12

Pathologization
Stigmatizing
Discrimination
Risk of oversimplification
Looking for a cure