Found in Transition: A Mother's Evolution During Her Child's Gender Change

Abstract

A recent representative study of US adolescents by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1.8% of adolescents identify as transgender. 1 Johns MM Lowry R Andrzejewski J et al. Transgender identity and experiences of violence victimization, substance use, suicide risk, and sexual risk behaviors among high school students—19 states and large urban school districts, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019; 68: 67-71https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6803a3 Google Scholar That is, their gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. In parallel with a decrease in stigma against transgender people, we have seen an increase in the number of young people who feel comfortable coming out as transgender. Though stigma has decreased, it is still omnipresent and intense and has resulted in these young people experiencing dramatic mental health disparities, particularly for anxiety, depression, and suicidality. 2 Turban JL Ehrensaft D Research Review: Gender identity in youth: Treatment paradigms and controversies. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2018; 59: 1228-1243https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12833 Google Scholar Given the substantial number of young people who identify as transgender, most clinicians will encounter these patients in their practices. They will also encounter their parents.