Gender dysphoria was previously referred to as “gender identity disorder.” In 2012, the term was changed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Replacing a term that included the word “disorder” was an important step toward removing stigma against transgender people based on false stereotypes about gender identity and expression. Feeling that your gender does not match your biology is not a mental illness, and most teens seeking gender reassignment surgery have healthy psychological functioning. However, teen gender dysphoria can cause extreme distress, which in turn may lead to anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, body dysphoria (preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one’s appearance), and an increased risk of suicide. This is due to external factors that transgender children and teens are subjected to, including bullying by peers, parental rejection, abuse, trauma, and harassment.
Goals for Family Therapy: Examples, Benefits, and More
Explore the objectives of family therapy. Discover how this approach aims to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and foster familial harmony.