What to do if my daughter says she wants to be a boy?

I recommend that you start with a talk where you respectfully and lovingly let your daughter know how you feel about her gender identity and what your concerns are for her. You can also let her know what you are comfortable doing in support of her and what you are not.

Is it normal for kids to say they want to be a different gender?

Most children go through periods of gender exploration through the way they dress and the toys they choose and by role-playing. Some may even insist that they are a gender that differs from that of their birth sex. However, this is likely not a phase if they continue to do so as they get older.

What to do when your child wants to change gender?

At what age does gender identity develop?

Gender identity typically develops in stages: Around age two: Children become conscious of the physical differences between boys and girls. Before their third birthday: Most children can easily label themselves as either a boy or a girl. By age four: Most children have a stable sense of their gender identity.

What to do if your child says they have gender dysphoria?

Genuinely listen to your child and truly sympathize with what they're telling you. Be patient. The DSM-5 recognizes gender dysphoria as a medical condition (not a mental disorder as per outdated definitions). Your child's concerns are legitimate, backed by science, and extremely real.

My kid says she's trans. What do I do?

Can puberty cause gender dysphoria?

Additionally, while some transgender adolescents have shown gender non-conformity since early childhood, other adolescents might experience gender dysphoria during or after the onset of pubertal physical changes. Some adolescents may have kept their gender incongruence to themselves for a long time.

Can you correct gender dysphoria?

Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy. If you have gender dysphoria, seek help from a doctor who has expertise in the care of gender-diverse people.

How do I know if my child has gender identity disorder?

Children are typically diagnosed with gender dysphoria if they have experienced significant distress for at least six months and at least six of the following: strong desire to be of the other gender or an insistence that they are the other gender. strong preference for wearing clothes typical of the opposite gender.

What causes gender dysphoria?

The exact cause of gender dysphoria is unclear. Gender development is complex and there are still things that are not known or fully understood. Gender dysphoria is not related to sexual orientation. People with gender dysphoria may identify as straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

How can you tell if someone has gender dysphoria?

How do you deal with gender identity issues?

Who is the youngest person to change gender?

Jennings is one of the youngest publicly documented people to be identified as transgender. Jennings received national attention in 2007 when an interview with Barbara Walters aired on 20/20, which led to other high-profile interviews and appearances.

Do puberty blockers help with gender dysphoria?

For children who have gender dysphoria, suppressing puberty might: Improve mental well-being. Reduce depression and anxiety. Improve social interactions and integration with other kids.

What age do children experience gender dysphoria?

The study results showed that the mean age of the transgender women's earliest general memory and first experience of gender dysphoria were 4.5 and 6.7 years, respectively. For transgender men they were 4.7 and 6.2 years, respectively.

Can a 12 year old have gender dysphoria?

When a teen is uncomfortable or feels unhappy with his or her physical sex, the are likely suffering from gender dysphoria. This condition often manifests in children as young as two to four years of age as a desire to be, or a belief that he or she is of the opposite sex.

Is it normal for a 12 year old to question their gender?

A young child's exploration of different gender identities is quite common. However, for some children this may continue into later childhood and adolescence. Some people see gender as existing on a spectrum. This includes male, female and a diversity of gender identities such as non-binary and agender (no gender).

What is the most common cause of gender dysphoria?

No one knows exactly what causes gender dysphoria. Some experts believe that hormones in the womb, genes, and cultural and environmental factors may be involved.

Do hormones cause gender dysphoria?

Causes of gender dysphoria

Occasionally, the hormones that trigger the development of biological sex may not work properly on the brain, reproductive organs and genitals, causing differences between them. This may be caused by: additional hormones in the mother's system – possibly as a result of taking medication.

What are the risks of gender dysphoria?

This can further result in relationship difficulties with family, peers, friends and lead to interpersonal conflicts, rejection from society, symptoms of depression and anxiety, substance use disorders, a negative sense of well-being and poor self-esteem, and an increased risk of self-harm and suicidality.

Can gender change naturally?

For many people, gender identity and expression develop early and stay the same over time. For others, either one may change. While such changes can happen at any time during a person's life, they're more common during childhood and adolescence than later in adulthood.

Do you need to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria to transition?

The “diagnosis” of gender dysphoria has become a requirement for receiving medically necessary gender-affirming care for patients, even though the diagnosis doesn't apply to all trans people. As with all forms of health care, a diagnosis is required for an insurer to pay for medically necessary care.

How do you deal with gender identity in children?

What happens if you don't treat gender dysphoria?

Although gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, when not addressed, it may lead to worsening mood issues, depression and anxiety, and may further complicate the issues the individuals may be having. Insurance may cover some illnesses associated with gender dysphoria and gender dysphoria care.

Can gender dysphoria be treated without hormones?

It's important to remember that hormone therapy is only one of the treatments for gender dysphoria. Others include voice therapy and psychological support. The decision to have hormone therapy will be taken after a discussion between you and your clinic team.

Can a normal doctor diagnose gender dysphoria?

However, gender dysphoria is preferentially diagnosed by a specialized psychologist or psychiatrist.