Gender Dysphoria
Gender dysphoria is considered to be an abnormal psychological disorder. This is when an individual feels that their gender identity does not match the gender that they were born with. Along with their gender identity fluctuating between the two genders or somewhere in-between, many of the individuals also struggle with their sexual orientation (Capetillo-Ventrua). The debate and discussion surrounding Gender Dysphoria, formerly called Transsexualism and Gender Identity Disorder, has now extended far beyond the field of psychology. As a result, there are a substantial number views on Gender Dysphoria and many are complex in nature. However, due to the unique social and political nature of this specific disorder, it is of the utmost importance
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The first terms used to describe Gender Dysphoria were under a Gender Identity Disorder in the DSM-III and included Transsexuality, Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood, and Transvestic Fetishism. These were later revised when the DSM-IV was released. Gender Identity Disorder replaced both Transsexualism and Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood, while Transvestic Fetishism was reclassified into a sexual paraphilia (Bryant). The latest revision to be made was in the DSM-5 when Gender Identity Disorder was changed to Gender Dysphoria. These additions have been controversial since they were first added and the controversy surrounding them has heightened throughout the years …show more content…
Hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery are the main topics of this ethics debate. Some psychologists believe that these treatments are what will be most effective in treating the individual. However, others believe that a physical or biological fix fails to address a very complex issue and will not fully address the disorder (Comer). At the height of the debate is the treatment ethics of Gender Dysphoria in adolescents. Although the classifications of adolescent and adult Gender Dysphoria are different, both ultimately have the same symptoms (Zucker). Gender dysphoria can be heightened by the onset of puberty. This presents the ethical question of if the child should be given pubertal suppressants, which can cause irreversible issues with biological development (Kipnis). Research conclusions on whether or not sex reassignment surgery are successful vary and definitive cannot currently be given
The first terms used to describe Gender Dysphoria were under a Gender Identity Disorder in the DSM-III and included Transsexuality, Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood, and Transvestic Fetishism. These were later revised when the DSM-IV was released. Gender Identity Disorder replaced both Transsexualism and Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood, while Transvestic Fetishism was reclassified into a sexual paraphilia (Bryant). The latest revision to be made was in the DSM-5 when Gender Identity Disorder was changed to Gender Dysphoria. These additions have been controversial since they were first added and the controversy surrounding them has heightened throughout the years …show more content…
Hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery are the main topics of this ethics debate. Some psychologists believe that these treatments are what will be most effective in treating the individual. However, others believe that a physical or biological fix fails to address a very complex issue and will not fully address the disorder (Comer). At the height of the debate is the treatment ethics of Gender Dysphoria in adolescents. Although the classifications of adolescent and adult Gender Dysphoria are different, both ultimately have the same symptoms (Zucker). Gender dysphoria can be heightened by the onset of puberty. This presents the ethical question of if the child should be given pubertal suppressants, which can cause irreversible issues with biological development (Kipnis). Research conclusions on whether or not sex reassignment surgery are successful vary and definitive cannot currently be given