Outline and Evaluate Gender Dysphoria

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Gender dysphoria can be regarded as a mismatch between a person’s biological sex and psychological gender leading to an opposite gender identity. Many who experience this disorder opt for hormonal treatment and potential sex reassignment surgery. This involves the transformation of external genetallia and overall appearance to that of the opposite sex- male to female (MTF) or female to male (FTM) transformations. A gender dysmorphic after the procedure can thus be classified both legally and physically as the opposite man or woman. It is a highly distressing and confusing process in which the rate of (MTF) is five times more prevalent than (FTM) sex reassignment therapies. The DSM IV states some of the symbolic characteristics seen in children with gender dysmorphia which are further used classify others of the same disorder. The first relates to a child continuously stating a desire or an insistence of either being or becoming the opposite sex. In boys this can be seen as a preference for cross-dressing and girls the wearing of stereotypically male clothing. Another characteristic may be a child showing a preference for playing with and sharing in stereotypical games of the opposite sex. The characteristics once exhibited may be a sign of gender dysmorphic behaviour in children stated by the DSM IV. There are two major explanations for the development of gender dysphoria; the psychological and biological explanation. The psychological explanation states that gender dysmorphia is due to two factors; separation anxiety and parental influence. The first adopts a psychodynamic approach and refers to a child’s anxiety when separated from a primary care giver. This commonly refers to the mother to who the child has formed a strong emotional attachment. It can be said to occur when a child begins to comprehend that they are separate beings to that of their

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