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The LGBTQIA+ Community and Mental Health

Individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community can face unique mental health challenges. In keeping with our mission to expand mental health care access, LifeStance does not discriminate against members of the LGBTQIA+ community or their families.

Individuals in this community experience high rates of certain mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, traumatic disorders, and depression. Discrimination in various settings is a major contributor to this problem. One antidote may be for individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community to have safe, inclusive spaces and supportive people in their lives.

In addition to high rates of mental health conditions in general, some members of the LGBTQIA+ community live with mental health conditions that are specific to the community. LifeStance aims to provide safe, effective, and inclusive care for these individuals.

What is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is a term used to describe the emotional and psychological distress that arises when an individual’s gender identity doesn’t align with their assigned sex at birth. For example, someone born female would be assigned female at birth. However, with gender dysphoria, from an early age, they would know that their gender identity didn’t align with this assignment. They always felt a profound sense of discomfort with their body and the societal expectations associated with being a girl. They could inherently identify more as a male, from both physical appearance to behavioral characteristics. As they got older, these feelings intensified, leading to significant distress in various aspects of their life.

In earlier editions of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Gender Dysphoria was previously known as “Gender Identity Disorder.” “Gender Identity Disorder” has historically carried a lot of stigmas, specifically the word “Disorder.” “Disorder” implied that being transgender or having a non-cisgender identity was a mental illness or something inherently problematic, which contributed to stigmatization. As a result, the diagnostic criteria were revised. This name of the condition was updated in later editions to remove stigma and eventually renamed gender dysphoria.

It’s essential to differentiate between gender dysphoria and being transgender. Not all transgender individuals experience gender dysphoria, and some may only experience it at specific points in their lives. Also important to note is that the term “transgender” can encompass both binary and non-binary gender identities (e.g., transgender male, transgender female, non-binary, they/them pronouns). Individuals who identify as non-binary also may or may not experience gender dysphoria or experience it at certain points in their lives.

Lifestance Health specializes in LGBTQIA+ Community and Mental Health treatment with multiple locations in 33 states. Services and available treatments vary by location.

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Treatment for Gender Dysphoria

Affirmation is often the best treatment for gender dysphoria, and it can come in a variety of ways. The methods of affirmation that may help one individual may not help someone else. That is why it is important for patients to work with an experienced therapist who may help them create a comprehensive plan.

The many types of gender affirmation include:

  • Changing your name and pronouns in social settings
  • Having others use your chosen name and pronouns
  • Changing your gender and name on official government documents
  • Medical affirmation through various hormones
  • Surgical affirmation with procedures to change your body

All of these affirmations may be supported by therapy. A therapist may help you decide which affirmations make sense for you, diagnose any co-occurring mental health conditions, and cope with the pushback you may receive from unaccepting individuals.

References

Most Gender Dysphoria Established by Age 7, Study Finds (June 16, 2020). Retrieved from https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/most-gender-dysphoria-established-by-age-7-study-finds/

photo of LifeStance provider Luisa Spadafino, LMFT

Clinically Reviewed By:

Luisa Spadafino, LMFT
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Luisa Spadafino has been a practicing Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2016. She received two Masters Degrees from Rutgers University and Mercy College, and has a particular focus of addressing various forms of trauma. This includes domestic violence, sexual assault/childhood sexual abuse, human trafficking, hate crimes, and other forms of trauma. Luisa is a systemic therapist with training in EMDR to address symptomology as well as DBT and CBT interventions. Luisa is a collaborative therapist and believes in empowering patients to advocate for themselves internally and in their relationships, and acts as a co-pilot to help patients get un-stuck to lead healthier and happier lives.