Gender dysphoria rise: The disconnect between body and mind

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• November 24, 2021

Gender dysphoria, a condition where one's gender identity conflicts with their biological sex, has historically led to significant distress and societal misunderstanding. However, societal attitudes have evolved, with the internet playing a crucial role in fostering supportive communities and facilitating access to potential treatments. Yet, the rise in gender dysphoria awareness also brings challenges and implications, including increased healthcare demands, potential political polarization, and the need for more inclusive policies and practices in various sectors of society.

Gender dysphoria rise context

Gender dysphoria is a psychological condition where an individual's self-perceived gender identity is at odds with the biological sex assigned to them at birth. This discrepancy can lead to significant distress, discomfort, and a feeling of disconnection from one's own body. It is this internal conflict that propels many transgender individuals to seek medical interventions, such as hormone treatments or surgical procedures. These interventions aim to bring their physical appearance into alignment with their deeply felt sense of gender.

In the 1970s, societal understanding and acceptance of gender dysphoria were markedly different from today's perspective. Individuals diagnosed with this condition were often subjected to conversion therapy, a practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity to conform to societal norms. However, this approach has been widely discredited due to its harmful effects, including severe psychological trauma that can persist throughout a person's life. The scars from these practices are still felt by many who underwent such treatments, underscoring the importance of compassionate and informed care for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria.

Fortunately, societal attitudes have evolved significantly over the past few decades, largely due to increased visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. The rise of the internet has played a crucial role in this shift, providing a platform for transgender individuals to connect, share experiences, and offer mutual support. Additionally, the internet has become a valuable resource for researching potential treatments and therapies that can help manage the symptoms of gender dysphoria. 

Disruptive impact

As society evolves, more trans youth who experience gender dysphoria have felt encouraged to come out and seek various forms of support. In a 2017 study by UCLA School of Law, around 0.7 percent of American teens aged 13-17 years identified themselves as transgender. Meanwhile, 1.8 percent of high schoolers called themselves transgender, according to a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study in the same year.

The consequences of gender dysphoria, especially among teens, are often grave–from bullying to self-harm. During the 2010s, the medical establishment in North America increasingly normalized the application of puberty blockers in an effort to help trans teens take more control over their physical development. 

However, in recent years, medical practitioners have begun increasingly debating the use puberty blockers as they claim that it can lead to a variety of side effects, including abnormal bone density development, a higher risk for osteoporosis, and even brain development issues. Some doctors insist that people younger than 18 years should not be given hormone treatments. And some US state governments have also stepped in to prevent trans youth from accessing specific treatments for teens.

For those experiencing gender dysphoria, most healthcare experts agree that providing gender-appropriate healthcare can often relieve anxiety and depression. Similar healthcare should also be offered for the after-effects of transition surgeries and hormone treatments, including psychological issues. 

Implications of gender dysphoria rise

Wider implications of the rise of gender dysphoria may include:

• Increased demand for gender care, including counseling for those who want to transition and de-transition.
• More child psychologists educating themselves on trans children's mental healthcare.
• More inclusive healthcare policies improving access to quality healthcare for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.
• A rise in the understanding of gender dysphoria could result in the development of more comprehensive educational curriculums, fostering empathy and understanding among younger generations.
• More diverse and inclusive workplaces boosting productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Advancements in medical technology resulting in improved treatments and therapies for individuals experiencing gender dysphoria.
• An increase in healthcare costs straining public health resources and requiring policy adjustments.
• Political polarization on this issue leading to social unrest and legislative gridlock.

Questions to consider

• What other ways could the government extend support for those suffering from gender dysphoria?
• How can healthcare systems offer more emphatic services to those with gender dysphoria?