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Gender Dysphoria Disorder
offered in Encino and Pasadena, CA
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Gender Dysphoria Disorder services offered in Encino and Pasadena, CA
Gender dysphoria disorder happens when a mismatch between your sex at birth and gender identity causes significant psychological distress. At Adelpha Psychiatric Group, with offices in Encino and Pasadena, California, the experienced physicians include psychiatrists with specialized training in treating gender dysphoria disorder. If you’re struggling in this area, Adelpha Psychiatric Group is a safe space where you can get compassionate support from experts. Call the nearest office now.
Gender Dysphoria Disorder Q & A
What is gender dysphoria disorder?
Infants are assigned a sex at birth: male or female, based on biological characteristics like genitalia.
People with gender dysphoria disorder express a gender that doesn’t match their assigned sex, and this discrepancy causes them severe psychological distress.
Gender dysphoria disorder often arises during childhood, but some might not experience it until later.
Do transgender people have gender dysphoria disorder?
Not necessarily. People who are transgender have an assigned sex that doesn’t correspond with their gender identity.
So people who are assigned male at birth (AMAB) but identify as a woman are transgender. Similarly, a person assigned female at birth (AFAB) and identifies as a man is transgender.
Some, but not all, transgender people experience gender dysphoria disorder, so the two are not synonymous. Gender dysphoria disorder isn’t inevitable for all people who are transgender.
What are the signs of gender dysphoria disorder in children?
Children with gender dysphoria disorder can have symptoms like:
- Insistence that they’re the opposite of their assigned sex
- Dressing in traditionally male or female attire (opposite of their assigned sex)
- Assigned-male children preferring traditionally feminine toys and activities
- Assigned-female children preferring traditionally male toys and activities
- Strong dislike or hatred of their own sexual anatomy
- Frequently voiced desires for sex characteristics opposite of their assigned sex
In adolescents and adults with gender dysphoria disorder, symptoms are similar to those that children experience. In teens, there might additionally be a desire to prevent the development of secondary sex characteristics.
Children, adolescents, and adults are diagnosed with gender dysphoria disorder only when their symptoms cause significant problems at work, home, school, socially, or in other areas.
How is gender dysphoria disorder treated?
At Adelpha Psychiatric Group, treatment focuses on the nonjudgmental exploration of thoughts and feelings. Psychotherapy can help struggling patients feel more secure, less distressed, and more confident.
Members of the transgender community, including those who experience gender dysphoria disorder, have a sharply increased risk of depression and anxiety disorders. Medication will sometimes help people with gender dysphoria disorder manage distressing symptoms.
Adelpha Psychiatric Group supports patients with gender dysphoria disorder in a welcoming atmosphere. Book a telehealth or office appointment by phone now.