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Gender Dysphoria and Mental Health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2022

M. Barbosa Pinto*
Affiliation:
University Hospital Center of Algarve, Portugal, Department Of Psychiatry And Mental Health – Faro, Faro, Portugal
F. Tavares
Affiliation:
University Hospital Center of Algarve, Portugal, Department Of Psychiatry And Mental Health – Faro, Faro, Portugal
M. Viseu
Affiliation:
University Hospital Center of Algarve, Portugal, Department Of Psychiatry And Mental Health – Faro, Faro, Portugal
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Gender dysphoria is characterized by a mismatch between the biological sex and gender identity of a person, frequently associated to distress or discomfort. Many transgender people will seek professional help to obtain a congruence between the gender identity and the body.

Objectives

Brief review of the literature in the field of mental health and gender dysphoria.

Methods

Review of the literature, through research in the PubMed database, using the following keywords: “gender dysphoria”, “mental health”, “psychiatric disorders”.

Results

Although the true prevalence of gender dysphoria (GD) is unknown, several studies indicated that the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in this population is elevated. In comparison with the general population, persons with GD have higher rates of depressive symptoms (64.5%), suicidality (42.9%), substance use disorders (40.2%), general distress (33.8%), anxiety (25.9%), discrimination, and stigma, that contribute to mental health problems. Even though, we cannot reach firm conclusions due to the lack of controlled studies exploring psychiatric disorders on GD people versus controls. An interdisciplinary approach to the health and well-being of this population is highly recommended. Social support, community connectedness, and effective coping strategies appear beneficial.

Conclusions

Individuals with GD have higher rates of psychiatric disorders and social stressors. Healthcare professionals should have a basic understanding on GD. Management should be individualized and may involve a multidisciplinary team. It would be important to have access to more controlled studies in order to achieve a better characterization of the prevalence of mental health disorders in this population.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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