Understanding and Treating Gender Dysphoria
Gender dysphoria is characterised by the distress experienced by individuals whose gender does not align with the one they were given at birth.
Essentially, our gender is determined by other people the moment we’re born, based on our physical characteristics. For instance, a child born with male genitalia will be labelled as “male” but may later identify as a transgender woman or several gender identities as they grow up.
This can cause a significant amount of anxiety, particularly for young people during puberty, when rapid and visible bodily changes happen, causing confusion.
An increasing number of young people are identifying themselves as neither male nor female or a combination of both. This is commonly referred to as non-binary or gender fluid. However, many other definitions may also be used.
We recognise the importance of accepting and being comfortable in your gender identity, especially for those struggling with gender dysphoria. We have a specialised gender dysphoria service where individuals 17 and over can access psychotherapy services. These services are designed to help you understand what you are going through, including your feelings and responses.
Gender dysphoria is not solely about identifying with the opposite sex; in recent years, there has been greater awareness of gender fluidity and identifying as non-binary. This can be openly discussed during the assessment, and whatever you feel or may identify with can be incorporated into your specialist therapy. Your authentic expression is valid, and we support you in discovering this.
Societal expectations regarding actions and behaviour versus the gender performance that feels right for you may create discomfort, frustration, and unhappiness. This conflict can manifest differently in each individual. Expressing one’s identified gender may be done in various ways, including behaviours, dress, and self-image. It is especially common to dress in your identified gender. You may be uncertain about how to authentically express your gender. Undergoing an assessment and working with our team may help you understand what you are experiencing and how you want to present your gender identity.
Not everyone who explores their gender experiences emotional and psychological confusion; some just want a space where they can safely explore and validate their sense of self. Providing you with this is part of our service, and we can collaborate and support you as you go through this process.
Biological Sex and Gender Identity
Some individuals with gender dysphoria have persistent and very intense feelings of being in a body that doesn’t align with their gender identity and may decide that undergoing medical transition is their best option. You can consult professionals at gender identity clinics about surgical treatment or hormone therapy to match your body with your gender identity.
Transitioning often involves using gender pronouns that fit your gender identity and updating your official documents, such as your passport. Some individuals use different pronouns before transitioning, which also applies to those with no desire to transition. Using the words, titles, and genders authentic to you is crucial in understanding who and how you are and how you wish to present yourself to the world.
If you are preparing to medically transition, we can provide the emotional support and space to examine your feelings in depth through your transition.
If you decide against having a medical transition after assessment and engagement with our specialists, it can be highly beneficial to have the time and space to understand, explore, and perform an authentic gender expression, and we provide this space for you.
Signs and Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria
While there are no physical symptoms that characterise gender dysphoria, its effects on your emotions and behaviours can significantly disrupt your daily life.
The common emotional symptoms of gender dysphoria include:
- Feeling that your gender identity does not align with the sex you were naturally assigned with at birth
- Being more comfortable when in the role of your authentic gender identity
- Having a strong desire to hide, change, or eliminate the physical manifestations of the sex assigned at birth
Signs of dysphoria experienced after puberty and into adulthood confirm that the related behaviours and feelings during childhood were not merely a part of growing up. If you are an adult with gender dysphoria, you may feel less confused about your gender identity and how you want to be perceived by others. For some individuals, feelings of dysphoria only begin later in life. The onset of dysphoria can happen at any time, and at whatever point in your life it happens, it is valid. Your identity and authentic expression of it, as well as the decision to engage in services, are right for you whenever they occur.
Being more specific about your feelings and behaving accordingly, such as living in your authentic gender identity, can help you feel much more comfortable and confident in addressing the situation.
What causes gender dysphoria?
You may develop gender dysphoria for various reasons as you grow up. The process of maturation is complex, and gender development and how you identify with your physical and emotional self are all part of it.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Treatment for Gender Dysphoria
The treatment methods will vary depending on your goals and desires. The level of treatment necessary will be determined by the result of your assessment to help you feel at ease in your gender. You own your treatment, and at every stage, you will control and direct how your treatment progresses with the guidance of our experienced practitioners.
During your psychotherapy sessions, you may explore the cultural and personal meaning of gender and your experience with gender dysphoria. The ultimate goal is for you to live in an identity that is authentic for you by providing ongoing support.:
Dedicated psychotherapy services
We offer specialised psychotherapy services to people with gender dysphoria. Our services are available to anyone with gender dysphoria to help you understand and normalise your feelings. You can benefit from these services alongside any physical treatments you may be undergoing or considering.
Psychotherapy aims to:
Provide support
Provide a supportive thinking and an enquiring space to consider gender and the effects it has on us
Reduce stress
Help to reduce the amount of distress caused by gender or gender preoccupation in daily life
Gender freedom
Enable you to customise your gender identity as appropriate for you
Improve gender understanding
Explore and broaden a gender understanding without limiting yourself to binary gender models
Generate stability
Provide stability in your own gender identity and gender expression
You will undergo an initial assessment, followed by individual therapy sessions, with the potential to participate in a weekly therapy group. This service is led by an experienced consultant psychiatrist who is well-versed in gender diversity and has extensive experience providing therapy to people with gender identity issues
Understanding Dysphoric Feelings
Gender dysphoria is the conflict experienced by an individual between their assigned sex at birth and the gender they identify with. This contradiction may cause emotional and psychological distress because your assigned sex doesn’t align with your gender identity and presentation.
Anyone – children, young people and adults, can experience gender dysphoria. Some individuals with gender dysphoria find that being able to discuss their feelings and understanding of their gender identity freely is sufficient to feel comfortable with their assigned sex without having to undergo physical treatments.
The emotions experienced due to gender dysphoria can be expressed in various ways, enabling you to show the gender you feel you belong to. This may involve dressing in a way that reflects your authentic self and a desire to use a name and pronoun that represents the gender you identify with.
If you are diagnosed with gender dysphoria, you may encounter challenges related to external and internal oppression. These difficulties may negatively affect your confidence and increase your risk of developing anxiety and depression, perhaps reflecting feelings of isolation.
You may also experience challenges at school or work caused by the emotional distress of gender dysphoria. This may mean having difficulty performing your daily tasks as you strive to feel comfortable with your assigned identity. Dysphoria may also put a strain on your relationships with friends and partners, struggling to adapt to and accept your evolving identity as you work towards gender transition.
FREE Gender Dysphoria Assessment
If your or a loved one are struggling with gender dysphoria, we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free gender dysphoria assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.
