|
|
Article: Diagnosis critical in adolescent gender dysphoria.(Mental Health)
- Article from:
- Family Practice News
- Article date:
- May 15, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 International Medical News Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
HOUSTON -- Most adolescents with gender identity issues initially are treated for comorbid conditions such as depression, Flynn O'Malley, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the American Society for Adolescent Psychiatry.
Managing adolescents with gender issues includes treating the comorbid conditions (if any) first, and then educating the patient about the realities of a sex change.
The clinician can help the adolescent develop a plan for life as a person of the opposite gender after his/her sex change treatment, and can assess family support and encourage discussion of the family's discomfort with the adolescent's trans-gendered feelings. A patient ...