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What is Gender Dysphoria?

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For people who suffer from Gender Dysphoria, there is a powerful conflict between the gender that they were assigned at birth and the gender with which they identify.  It is important to understand that Gender Dysphoria is not the same thing as being gay/lesbian/bisexual. It is also not the same thing as gender nonconformity — behaving in ways that are socially accepted of the opposite gender.

People with Gender Dysphoria encounter a powerful disconnect between the gender they were assigned at birth, what they may be expected to be, and the gender they identify with. They suffer significant emotional distress because of this contrast between social expectations and how they think or feel. Gender Dysphoria can affect people in many different ways, in more mild forms causing gender fluidity. More severe cases may cause an intense desire to transition to the gender with which they identify.

Transitioning can take many different forms depending on where the person identifies on the male/female spectrum. For some, adopting habits and behaviors that are typical of the gender they identify with is enough to feel comfortable, and for some, a full medical, hormonal, or social transition is required. Many choose to use a combination of hormone treatment and corrective surgery.  They change their names, dress and present themselves to others as their expressed gender, and request that others respect their choice and treat them appropriately.

Early signs

Signs of Gender Dysphoria can appear at any age, beginning as early as 2 years old. Children with Gender Dysphoria frequently insist that they are of another gender or that they will grow up to be a member of the opposite gender. Starting in adolescence, people with Gender Dysphoria begin to recognize that their genitalia does not match their gender. This becomes a great source of anxiety and emotional distress.

As they go through puberty, some individuals may try to hide physical characteristics of their assigned gender. Some also adopt the secondary sex characteristics of another gender via hormone treatment and surgery. Assigned males will often shave their legs and faces to appear feminine, while assigned females will dress to hide their developing breasts. Some people fully transition from male to female or female to male, while others find comfort in another, nonbinary gender expression.

Gender dysphoria and transitioning are cause for considering therapy to discover what route will yield the best outcome for the individual. Therapy by a caring mental health professional can help reduce the symptoms of secondary disorders such as anxiety or depression.

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References
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