What is Gender Dysphoria? What Causes Gender Dysphoria? Also known as Gender Identity Disorder (GID), it is a condition wherein a person is born with one gender but is not happily living that way. Several young people feel that their gender identity is not the right match with the sex they were born with. Imagine how you think of yourself not matching your physical being; well, this can be very distressing. Though gender dysphoria is not a mental problem, it can cause a great deal of stress. Believe it or not, hiding your true identity while growing up in a society crammed with misunderstandings and stereotypes will undoubtedly affect you negatively. To avoid this, consider visiting a top counselling psychologist in Chennai.
What is Gender Dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria, or gender identity disorder, is when someone is born with a specific gender but identifies or resembles another gender. Meaning, a person born as a male identifies himself as a female or vice versa.
It’s even possible that some people do not identify with a gender at all. All those people who feel in this particular way are known as ‘transgender’ or ‘trans’. We must understand that trans people self-identify in many ways. Throughout this article, we will refer to and use ‘trans’ as an umbrella term, embracing ‘trans, trans, transgender, gender non-conforming and gender variant, among others.
Non-binary gender identity
At times, people also describe themselves as “non-binary,” wherein they do not feel as if they are male or female. Non-binary is a definition that also embraces those who identify themselves as an androgyne, third gender, polygender. They may even recognise themselves as a combination of the two or neither.
Signs of gender dysphoria
It’s natural and conventional for signs of gender dysphoria to show at a tender age. Signs like children refusing to wear particular clothes or children dislike taking part in typical gender-related activities.
Other than this, some behaviours may include:
- Trying to convince that they are of the opposite sex
- The urge to wear clothes typically worn by the other sex
- Always wanting to take part in activities of the opposite sex
- Secretly hoping that their genitals will change
- Extreme distress at puberty and the physical changes that will occur
- Constant anxiety and depression
In multiple cases, these behaviours are just a component of the child growing up. If the feelings of gender dysphoria are still solid and present through their teenage years and adulthood, you likely take further support from a famous psychotherapist as you feel the need.
Though people suffering from gender dysphoria often will feel this way during their early childhood, this isn’t always the case. It is even possible that people may not recognise their feelings or have learned to repress and hide their feelings to avoid rejection.
Adolescence forces change on a body that can feel uneasy. While a child may have enjoyed being genderless growing up, the secondary sex characteristics of puberty can be very distressing.
The most astonishing aspect is that there may not be physical signs of gender dysphoria, but people display individual acts or behaviours.
If you are an adult whose feelings of gender dysphoria also started in youth, you might now have a more definite sense of your identity and, importantly, how you want to handle it. In any case, you are not alone, and you can always consult the best clinical psychologist in Chennai.
How will I know for sure if I have it?
Only you would ever know yourself completely. Some people may know it from a young age, while others may feel like they don’t ‘fit in’ with the members of their sex and do not know what to do about it or how to confess it to people. Most of them keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, do not accept their body and lead unhappy life.
Well, everyone deserves to live the life they wish to. We are incredibly passionate about raising awareness of such taboo issues, give them crucial information and advising external support from psychologist Chennai if needed.
Living with gender dysphoria
Times can be very distressing while constantly changing, keeping how you feel to yourself only. Be it lack of support or lack of information or the fear of being judged or being discriminated against, living a life where you are not happy is no life at all.
Gender dysphoria is not exactly a mental illness. The people who face this disorder suffer tremendous stress due to hiding their identity. Hence, we must speak about such issues. Because, in the end, society needs to comprehend and be more sensitive to the problems. Talking about it and continue supporting each other is probably the first step in breaking down the stigma. Nobody should ever feel that they have to keep quiet about who they are. Hence, do not hesitate to ask for help, even if it is consulting the best psychologist in India.
According to Charity Stonewall, two in five trans people, that is, 41%, claimed that when accessing general health care services in the year 2017, the healthcare staff didn’t understand the needs of trans people. If a person has decided to change their gender role, this is known as ‘transition’. This enables them to express themselves in line with their gender dysphoria, perhaps by choosing a new name and changing their appearance, like changing their hair or wearing different clothes. The way individuals express themselves will vary from person to person; everyone is different, and if required, visit the top psychologist in India.
Coming out as transgender
When you tell people about your sexuality or gender identity, it is called “coming out”. Coming out is an incredibly unique process, and it may not necessarily be a one-time event. Lesbian, gay, bi, and trans people may have to come out multiple times during their lives. Unfortunately, many people will face challenges when doing so. This again causes gender dysphoria.
The way you come out depends on you and what you feel the most comfortable with. Some may feel comfortable speaking about their gender identity with their close friends. At the same time, some may feel at ease with their own family. However, coming out may be severe and requires an immense amount of courage. Part of which could be fostered by an educational counselling psychologist in Chennai.
Counselling For Gender Dysphoria with Praveen Saanker
Counselling services provided by Mr Praveen Saanker are part of our “not-for-profit” activities. We do not charge a consulting fee for these support initiatives since they are meant to provide aid and relief for truly deserving individuals who otherwise may not have been able to afford these services.
Mr Praveen Saanker has set aside 12 hours of his professional time every week to provide coaching and counselling services. We provide appointments basis on the unique needs and circumstances of each individual. Please note that we do not have robust CRM platforms or customer support teams to provide instant answers to your queries or replies to your mails. Hence please bear with us for the time we take to get back to you.
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When you decide to get associated with us, we expect you to contribute to society in whatever capacity you can. This may mean you are undertaking voluntary work in your domain of expertise and provide empowerment and support to the needy. This can also mean you are giving help and assistance to people who desperately look forward to your aid when they have no one else who can help them. All we want you to do is give back to the universe and your fellow humans in whichever capacity you can.
We are not a registered charitable organisation, and hence we do not accept financial donations or support items in any form. You can get associated with anyone and choose the path you would like to follow in empowering your fellow human beings. But we would like to hear from you on how you intend to contribute back to society shortly when you choose to avail of our services.
How can you avail of our support?
If you believe you require Mr Praveen Saanker’s support and assistance, you can write to us at praveen@vedicology.com. Please be rest assured, we shall get back to you and be with you during your testing times in whatever capacity we can.
Mr Praveen, the founder of ‘Vedicology,’ is an internationally renowned scholar on Sanatana Dharma recognised for his knowledge and application of Indian Psychology and Spirituality. Praveen is an expert on combining various Indian and Western psychology traits, Vedic Scriptures, Indian Rites, Rituals, Customs & Traditions, Astrology, Vastu Shastra & Numerology. Aiming to be of the utmost help, Mr Praveen Saanker looks to understand your motivations and aspirations and then provide a solution accordingly. Praveen successfully integrates the principles of Vedas with modern Psychology and Business Management. Mr Praveen Saanker works with family business entrepreneurs and next-generation leaders, advising them on the family constitution and finding a subtle balance between family and business priorities.
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