Gender dysphoria

Definition

Gender dysphoria is a psychological condition where an individual experiences significant distress due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their assigned sex at birth. It can impact mental health, requiring medical and psychological interventions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gender dysphoria is recognized in the DSM-5 as a diagnosable condition.
2. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a common pharmacological treatment for alleviating symptoms of gender dysphoria.
3. Nurses must be knowledgeable about the side effects and monitoring requirements of drugs used in transgender healthcare.
4. Mental health support, including counseling and psychotherapy, is often necessary alongside pharmacological treatments.
5. Informed consent is crucial when initiating any pharmacological treatment for gender dysphoria.

Review Questions

• What are some common pharmacological treatments for gender dysphoria?
• Why is informed consent particularly important in the treatment of gender dysphoria?
• How does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) help alleviate symptoms of gender dysphoria?

Related terms

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): A medical treatment involving the administration of hormones to align an individual's physical characteristics with their gender identity.

DSM-5: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition; a manual used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to diagnosing mental disorders.

Informed Consent: A process ensuring that patients are fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a treatment before agreeing to it.