A 2020 Review of Mental Health Comorbidity in Gender Dysphoric and Gender Non-Conforming People

Paz-Otero María,Pérez-López Gilberto,Ly-Pen Domingo,Becerra-Fernández Antonio

doi:10.36959/784/425

Paz-Otero María, Pérez-López Gilberto + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.36959/784/425

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Abstract

In the last few years, several studies have suggested the presence of high rates of psychopathology in the trans population and those with gender variability. The purpose of this paper has been to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in gender dysphoric and gender non-conforming people, as well as their relationship to the stigma and discrimination that they often suffer. For this purpose, this review includes 37 studies published in the last five years, which address the prevalence of various psychiatric pathologies while also addressing possible factors related to them. Among all the psychiatric disorders considered, the most frequent are depression, suicidal ideation, and anxiety.

Highlights

The first reference to transsexuality in the medical literature, was made by the sexologist Friedrich Otto Westphal in 1930 [2]
It will be of special relevance to review the psychiatric pathology in transsexual children and adolescents, as well as the rapidly onset gender dysphoria, desistance, detransition and regret
Articles related to two phenomena, not strictly classified as psychiatric comorbidity, but which were of interest due to their relationship and involvement were included: desistance and rapid onset gender dysphoria

Summary

Introduction

The first reference to transsexuality in the medical literature, was made by the sexologist Friedrich Otto Westphal in 1930 [2]. He described it as “paranoid sexual metamorphosis” mainly influenced by Magnus Hirschfeld, who in 1910 spoke. In 1980 [5], this same term appeared for the first time in the official nomenclature of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III), under the section “Sexual Identity Disorders” [6]. In the DSM-III, besides having reached puberty (otherwise it was referred to as “sexual identity disorder in childhood”), two requirements were needed to confirm the diagnosis: 1) Persistent malaise with regard to the anatomical sex itself; and 2) “A concern lasting at least two years, about how to get rid of the primary and secondary sexual characteristics, and how to achieve the sexual characteristics of the other sex”

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