Gender dysphoria can exist in anyone who’s not cisgender, including nonbinary people. [3] X Research source If you’re trying to determine whether you’re experiencing gender dysphoria, you may find it beneficial to look at forums and social media sites for transgender and nonbinary people, read various people’s experiences to see if you relate to them, and read articles such as How to Know if You Are Transgender. [4] X Expert Source Inge Hansen, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
A repeated desire to be the other sex or an assertion that they are the other sex A belief that their assigned sex will change on its own (e. g. thinking they’ll grow a penis or that their penis will come off when they get older) Wanting to change their name to a name typically associated with another gender, or a gender-neutral name A preference for presenting as another gender (e. g. a child assigned male at birth who prefers long hair and wearing dresses, or a child assigned female at birth who prefers short hair and wearing gender-neutral clothing) Resistance or distress when made to present as a gender they don’t identify with (such as a “girl” throwing a tantrum over having to wear a dress or a “boy” crying after having to get a haircut) Assuming the role of another gender in fantasy games or make-believe An intense desire to participate in the games and activities typical of another gender (such as an assigned-male child playing with Barbie and an assigned-female child playing contact sports) A preference for playmates of another gender
Feelings of panic or severe discomfort concerning puberty and bodily changes (e. g. refusing to acknowledge or admit changes are occurring, refusing to look at their body, or becoming distressed or uncomfortable with body development, menstruation, or ejaculation) Discomfort or distress with certain forms of gender presentation, such as disliking long hair or certain types of clothing Increased bullying at school due to differences in acting out one’s perceived gender or lack of self-confidence Isolation from peers due to lack of connection or fear of bullying Depression and/or anxiety as a result of confusion over gender identity or not fitting in with peers Be aware that some adolescents may try to repress their true gender due to outside pressure, such as from family and peers, even if they previously expressed their true gender as a child. [8] X Research source Bevan, T. E. (2015). The Psychobiology of Transsexualism and Transgenderism: A new view based on scientific evidence. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, LLC.
A difference between the sex at birth and the gender the individual expresses or experiences Consistently identifying with a gender other than the one matching the sex they were assigned (for an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria, this must have been ongoing for at least six months) Constant daydreaming or “what if. . . " thoughts about being another gender Wanting to be treated as another gender, or disliking being treated as the gender others perceive them as (e. g. being uncomfortable when addressed as “sir” or “ma’am”) Wanting to remove, alter, or hide their sex characteristics (however, this is not present in all transgender or nonbinary people) The individual may feel that they act in ways typical of another gender. If gender dysphoria has been deeply repressed or buried, it may have resulted in mental health problems. Take note of any history of anxiety or depression, self-injurious behavior, or substance abuse, and whether these problems lessen or even disappear when they present as their true gender; these can be subtle indicators of dysphoria. [10] X Research source Everyone is different, and there are many ways to experience gender dysphoria. Sometimes it centers around certain body parts, such as disliking having breasts or a penis, and other times it’s more focused around the roles and behaviors associated with one’s assigned gender. [11] X Expert Source Inge Hansen, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
Feeling happy or excited when addressed as their true gender Feeling relieved after identifying their gender Joy or excitement when presenting in a way that aligns with their gender (e. g. wearing a bra or cutting their hair short) A feeling of peace with their body when transitioning socially or medically
Social transition (i. e. , letting the child choose their own name, pronouns, and gender presentation) Counseling from a licensed gender therapist Medical treatment for older children consists of puberty blockers, though these require parental or guardian consent. (Puberty blockers prevent any signs of puberty in the child, which can prevent gender dysphoria from worsening and give them time to explore their gender identity. However, they can be safely skipped. )
Social transition (i. e. , choosing a new name, changing pronouns, and presenting their gender how they choose) Legal changes, such as changing their legal name, and/or in some areas, the sex on their ID or birth certificate (all legal changes typically require parental or guardian consent) Therapy, whether for gender identity or for associated struggles (e. g. mental health or peer disapproval)[18] X Research source Yarhouse, M. (2015). Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating transgender issues in a changing culture. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Medical treatment for teens includes puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). These require parental or guardian consent. Puberty blockers can prevent or slow puberty, preventing any sex characteristics from maturing (and making any potential future transition easier). HRT (estrogen for those assigned male at birth, and testosterone for those assigned female at birth) stimulates the puberty of their true gender. HRT is not all-or-nothing; transgender and nonbinary teens can start off on lower dosages of hormones so the effects aren’t drastic.
Social transition (i. e. , choosing a new name, set of pronouns, and presenting their gender as they wish) Therapy, whether for gender identity or for associated conditions such as depression[21] X Research source American Psychiatric Association (2013). “Gender Dysphoria. ” American Psychiatric Publishing. PDF. Legal changes, such as name changes, and/or in some areas, legal gender changes[22] X Research source Ruppin, U. , & Friedemann P. (2015). Long-Term Follow-Up of Adults with Gender Identity Disorder. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(5), 1321-1329. (note that in some areas, legally changing your gender requires documentation of sex reassignment surgery)[23] X Research source Medical treatment for adults consists of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sex reassignment surgery (SRS), and potentially some other surgeries dependent on gender identity (e. g. mastectomies or facial feminization surgery). [24] X Expert Source Inge Hansen, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019. HRT (estrogen for those assigned male at birth, and testosterone for those assigned female) will put the body through puberty, giving them features of their true gender. Hormonal transition can be gradual or slight; individuals can take lower dosages of hormones so the changes aren’t as rapid. There are many types of gender-affirming surgeries, such as breast removal or augmentation, and sex reassignment surgery. These surgeries will change the person’s body to more closely match their gender identity.
You don’t need to pursue medical transition unless you want to. Not all transgender or nonbinary people undergo surgery, and not all of them take hormones; it doesn’t invalidate their gender identity. Talk with your doctor and your therapist to help you figure out what you would feel most comfortable with. It’s okay to be uncertain or nervous about certain types of transition. You may have some hangups about starting hormones or undergoing surgery, and this is completely normal - it’s a big decision to make. However, don’t let a fear of regret hold you back - it’s very uncommon for those who transition to regret it. [25] X Research source Many treatments depend on what type of medical insurance you have. Check your insurance policy to see if they cover services related to medical transition. [26] X Research source
If you are unable to access therapy or counseling, it can be recommended that you attempt to discover more about your preferred gender and find ways of enacting that gender in your everyday life. When you are in a safe place, enacting your preferred gender can be freeing and validating, and will help you understand yourself better and live a happier life.
If they change their name and/or pronouns, call them by their new name and/or pronouns, and apologize and correct yourself if you slip up. Seek out gender-affirming therapy so that your child can figure out their identity. [29] X Expert Source Inge Hansen, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019. (Gender-affirming therapy does not force your child into transitioning, it just gives them an outlet to figure out their gender. )[30] X Research source Avoid “conversion” or “reparative” therapy, as these types of “therapies” have proven ineffective and traumatic, and have resulted in suicide. [31] X Research source [32] X Research source The decision on whether to allow a teen to medically transition can be difficult on parents. Discuss with your teen whether they want to pursue this kind of transition, and if they do, why. Go with them to talk to their doctor about how puberty blockers and/or HRT will affect their body. While you’re not obligated to consent to your teen’s medical transition, hearing out their reasons will help you and them both with the decision. Don’t express doubt to them, say that it’s “just a phase”, or say things like “but you didn’t act like this as a child” or “you’re too young to know”. Gender identity is complex and confusing even to adults, and it can take awhile for someone to figure out their real gender identity. And in the unlikely event that it is temporary, your child will appreciate that you gave them the freedom to figure that out on their own. [33] X Expert Source Inge Hansen, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
Spend some time outdoors, if possible - even if you don’t want to go out in public, sitting out in the fresh air may help a bit. [35] X Research source If you have a lot of body dysphoria, there are ways to handle bathing while dysphoric, and you can try putting away or covering up mirrors if you don’t want to look at yourself.
Asking friends and family to refer to you using your preferred gender and personal pronouns can be a validating experience and help to shape your gender identity. After coming out to friends and family, you will be more able to enact your preferred gender through dress, mannerisms, and other personal habits in a free space.
Not everybody can safely express their gender - for example, maybe you live with transphobic family or roommates. However, there may be some more subtle ways you can express yourself. Can you grow or cut your hair to a different length, wear gender-neutral clothing, start or stop shaving, or start undertaking grooming or self-care routines of the gender you identify with (like moisturizing your skin or using clear nail polish)? Don’t worry if you doubt yourself sometimes, don’t know with total certainty what your gender is, or enjoy forms of gender expression that don’t align with your true gender. Even transgender and nonbinary people who transition for many years, including medically, feel uncertain sometimes. It doesn’t mean you’re not “really” your gender. [36] X Research source
