Clinical and Emotional Aspects of Transgender People

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to assess clinical characteristics and the rates of attempting suicide in subjects with gender dysphoria (GD). Design and Method: This is a cross-sectional study of adults with GD. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). A Psychologist performed an individual semi-structured audio-recorded interview to obtain data on sociodemographics (schooling, occupation, professional activity, family income, marital status, place of residence, living partner, type of dwelling, and religion), life habits, marital status, social experience, prevalence of suicide attempts, and history of psychological and psychiatric treatment. Results: Forty-four subjects participated: 36(82%) trans-women and 8(18%) trans-men. GD patients had a high prevalence of anxiety 43(98%), 36(100%) of trans-women and 7(87.5%) of trans-men and depression 36(82%), 29(80.5%) of trans-women and 7(87.5%) of trans-men. A total of 32(73%) subjects attempted suicide. Subjects living with partners, parents, or others had a lower prevalence of depression than those living alone (p=0.03), and subjects who were married had a lower prevalence of depression than those who were dating or single (p=0.03). Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of attempted suicide in this sample. Anxiety and depression were common in patients with GD who were undergoing sex reassignment treatment. The lower prevalence of depression in married patients and in those living with partners, parents, or others suggests that an affective relationship provides emotional support for these subjects. Thus, improving the relationship status may reduce the prevalence of depressive symptoms in GD patients. Paraphilias: D. Sendler, M. Lew-Starowicz: Online forums allow pedophiles to redeem their sins: A qualitative evaluation of pedophilic traits among internet users.