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Can Gender Dysphoria Be the Reason Behind Other Disorder Symptoms?

Can Gender Dysphoria Be the Reason Behind Other Disorder Symptoms?

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An article from the American Journal of Public Health estimates that there are about one million transgender adults in America, with numbers increasing annually. Transgender individuals are particularly vulnerable to experiencing gender dysphoria, a condition marked by severe psychological distress that occurs when an individual’s biological sex does not match their gender identity. Such distress can have long-lasting impacts on an individual’s well-being, especially if it goes untreated.

Similar to any untreated mental health condition, untreated gender dysphoria can increase an individual’s risk of developing mental health disorders and substance use disorder (SUD). For this reason, it is imperative that individuals recognize the necessity of professional treatment in healing from gender dysphoria, co-occurring disorders, and any other associated symptoms. At Alter Behavioral Health, we are passionate about providing gender-affirming care to our clients struggling with gender dysphoria and any associated health concerns. 

What Is Gender Dysphoria?

According to Gender Dysphoria by Garima Garg, Ghada Elshimy, and Raman Marwaha, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) defines gender dysphoria as “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics.” This condition may begin to develop during childhood. However, it is more commonly developed during or after puberty. 

Individuals who experience gender dysphoria often experience an internal sense of chaos, feeling as if they were born into the wrong body. Such turmoil can inevitably affect an individual’s ability to function in daily life, let alone impair interpersonal relationships and inhibit their ability to find their place in the world. 

Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria

The publication titled “Medical Interventions for Transgender Youth,” published by Endotext [Internet], provides a table that identifies the DSM-5 criteria for gender dysphoria. For a proper diagnosis, at least two of the following six manifestations must be present for at least six months:

  • As mentioned previously, “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics”
  • A strong conviction that one is experiencing authentic feelings and reactions of another gender

As well as a strong desire to:

  • Alter or rid one’s sexual anatomy due to marked incongruence in expressed gender
  • Have the sexual autonomy of another gender
  • Be of another gender
  • Be treated as another gender

Moreover, the condition of gender dysphoria “is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.”

The Heavy Burdens of Gender Dysphoria

Although the level of unease or dissatisfaction that accompanies gender dysphoria can vary, it is often so intense that it impairs an individual’s sense of self. In addition, a person with gender dysphoria is vulnerable to experiencing a plethora of hardships in their daily life. These challenges often interfere with a person’s willingness to seek or pursue mental health treatment. 

As a result of increased stigmatization and discrimination, some of the immense challenges that individuals with gender dysphoria experience include:

  • Economic hardships
    • Increased risk of poverty and unemployment
    • Discrimination in education
    • Increased risk of homelessness
  • Health disparities
    • Increased rates of HIV infection
    • Lack of primary and gender-affirming care
    • High rates of attempted suicide
  • Relational issues
    • Peer, familial, and societal rejection

The Effects of Gender Dysphoria on Mental Health

Individuals who experience gender dysphoria and associated challenges are subject to profound mental health distress. Gender dysphoria can harm an individual’s self-worth, perpetuating feelings of guilt, shame, blame, and more. Further, an individual with gender dysphoria may become fixated on their gender expression, informing the development of eating disorders and other mental health problems.

Some of the specific mental health concerns that often result from gender dysphoria include:

  • Negative self-image
  • Dissociative symptoms
  • Increased conflict in interpersonal relationships
  • Slowed educational or occupational development
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Self-harming behavior
  • The development of mental health disorders:
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders
    • Mood disorders
    • Personality disorders
    • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Additionally, individuals with gender dysphoria experience increased risks of addiction and substance use disorder (SUD). In an attempt to treat or resolve unmanageable symptoms of gender dysphoria, an individual may turn to alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate. Moreover, they may feel more compelled to engage in substance use alongside other peers with gender dysphoria in nightlife or party scenes. Not only does substance use only mask underlying gender dysphoria symptoms, but it also makes an individual more vulnerable to developing a co-occurring chemical dependency. 

Treating Gender Dysphoria at Alter Behavioral Health

At Alter Behavioral Health, we pride ourselves on creating customizable treatment plans for all of our clients. We curate these plans using a whole-person approach to care to ensure that each client has the best chance at securing lasting wellness in their lives. In addition to treating a diagnosis or set of symptoms, we customize treatment based on our client’s unique needs and recovery goals. 

Upon arrival at our facility, clients will undergo initial assessments and screenings to properly diagnose any mental health disorders. Proper diagnoses are essential for crafting an effective treatment plan. From there, we work with our clients to identify treatment modalities and approaches that will best fit their needs. Individuals struggling with gender dysphoria and other mental health disorders can find refuge and healing at our facility. 

Gender dysphoria is a complex mental health condition characterized by psychological distress that interferes with an individual’s ability to function normally in daily life. Commonly, gender dysphoria occurs alongside other mental health disorders and symptoms, such as a negative self-image, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse. If you are struggling with gender dysphoria, Alter Behavioral Health can help. We are a mental health treatment facility that applies a modern understanding of care and emphasizes treating a diagnosis as well as the person. We offer a wide range of therapeutic approaches and modalities to ensure that you can achieve lasting symptom management and wellness in your life. To learn more, call us at (866) 691-4386.

Why Is Psychotherapy Effective?

Why Is Psychotherapy Effective?

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Psychotherapy can be a life-changing experience for many people, but what exactly makes it so effective? It’s not magic or a miracle cure, and there is no one “right” way to go about it. Despite this, psychotherapy modalities have been proven to be incredibly successful in treating various mental health issues.

What Do We Know About Psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy is a treatment that uses evidence-based techniques to help people with mental health issues. It can be used for both short-term and long-term issues, such as depression, anxiety, stress management, relationship problems, and more.

Research has proven that psychotherapy is an effective treatment for many disorders. Normalizing feelings and behaviors is another integral aspect of psychotherapy. Talking freely about our innermost thoughts often helps us realize that we are not alone in our struggles. This can also make challenges seem less overwhelming or intimidating.

What sets psychotherapeutic modalities apart from other treatments is their focus on understanding the underlying causes of mental health issues rather than just treating symptoms on the surface. By exploring past traumas and examining behavior patterns, therapists can help clients identify core problems contributing to their mental states. Therapists can then work with their clients to solve those problems.

What Are the Two Main Types of Psychotherapy?

When it comes to psychotherapy, there are two main types: individual therapy and group therapy.

Individual therapy involves one therapist working one-on-one with clients to address their mental health needs privately. The goal is to provide an open and honest space to discuss your feelings and experiences openly. This allows you to gain insight into yourself and your behavior. Open discussion can provide practice for how to cope with difficult emotions or situations.

Group therapy also provides an open space but allows multiple people to share their experiences to find strength in numbers. The idea behind group therapy is that being surrounded by others going through similar struggles can be comforting and enlightening for everyone involved. There is something powerful about sharing stories and offering support without feeling judged or alone.

How Can You Make Psychotherapy Sessions Successful Experiences?

The success of psychotherapy depends on many factors. Therapeutic relationships are essential, as are clients’ willingness to engage in the process. However, some practical considerations can make a big difference.

  • Be Open and Honest: The goal of any therapeutic session is for you to gain insight into yourself. Try to remain open and honest throughout the process. That means telling your therapist precisely what’s on your mind without fear of judgment or repercussions. Think of your therapist as an impartial referee. They want nothing more than for you to succeed in achieving your goals, but they won’t be able to help unless you provide honest answers.
  • Ask Questions: Sometimes, we think we understand something when we don’t fully grasp the concept. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if something doesn’t make sense during a session. It might sound intimidating at first but remember everyone involved wants the same thing; for you to get better and reach your goals.
  • Take Notes: It can be challenging to keep up with all the information during a therapy session. Taking notes can help you recall specific points more efficiently. Notes can also remind you what topics need further exploration in future sessions.
  • Follow Through With Assignments: Many therapists will give “homework” assignments between sessions for additional practice outside their office. These tasks must be completed (at least for the most part) before returning for another session. Then, progress can be accurately assessed along with any other issues or obstacles encountered along the way.
  • Make Connections Between Past and Present Experiences: If applicable, try connecting new experiences from past ones. It could lead to positive breakthroughs within your sessions (for example, relating painful childhood experiences with current relationship problems). Doing this could help identify patterns or other underlying issues that may have gone unrecognized otherwise.
  • Try Different Strategies: Therapy is about finding ways to put what we learn into practice in our day-to-day lives. Ask questions or explore different strategies and techniques during your sessions. For example, many therapists use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques such as journaling or visualization. These exercises help identify thought patterns and behaviors over time. Trying different strategies can help keep things fresh while remaining focused on the goal.

What Does This Mean for You?

All these components come together to form the basis for successful psychotherapeutic sessions. For those seeking therapy services: don’t forget that success lies in creating an honest dialogue between yourself and your therapist. With patience and dedication, anyone can make their experience more successful by taking advantage of the tools provided by their practitioner and engaging openly during each session.

Psychotherapy can be a powerful and transformative journey. At its core, psychotherapy is about healing: helping individuals identify underlying emotional issues contributing to physical or psychological distress and providing tools to help them cope better. Through psychotherapy, one can gain insight into themselves; understand fear, guilt, and anger; develop better relationships; become aware of how past events may shape present behavior; build self-confidence; improve communication skills, and make positive changes. Successful psychotherapy sessions depend on many factors, including openness and honesty between the client and therapist, following through with assignments, trying different strategies, asking questions, and connecting past experiences to present ones. With patience and dedication, anyone can make their experience more successful. Contact Alter Behavioral Health at (866) 691-4386.