Question

One of the biggest changes from the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000) to the DSM-5 (APA, 2013) was with regard to "gender identity disorder." The DSM-5 has now termed this condition as "gender dysphoria" and has removed it from the chapter containing the sexual dysfunctions and paraphilias. In addition, it better differentiated diagnostic criteria for children versus adolescents and adults.

For this discussion, review Section 11.4 of the textbook along with pages 14–15 of the APA document Highlights of Changes From DSM-IV-TR to DSM-5, and in your initial post, address the following:

• What might be some alternative conceptualizations for this disorder? For example, some view gender dysphoria as solely a physical condition, not mental, and therefore it should not even be included in the DSM. Others view it as entirely psychological and potentially even a subtype of major depressive disorder.

• In what ways might these changes in conceptualizing and diagnosing gender dysphoria impact treatment?

Cite from the Chapter 11 (Abnormal Psychology: Clinical Perspectives on Psychological Disorders 9th edition) reading and the APA document to support your answers.

Answer 1

Alternative conceptualizations for gender dysphoria could be putting less emphasis on the individual's feelings or dysphoria.Instead, emphasis should be placed upon the person's ideas, and ways of thinking since people with the disorder usually believe that they are “in the wrong body. People experiencing gender dysphoria will not be able to undergo a sex reassignment operation until they have completed the evaluation process, which is a three step approach, and includes a psychological evaluation & pre-surgery process, psychotherapy, and after successful completion, the sex re-assignment will take takes place. In the example given some view gender dysphoria as solely a physical condition, not mental. Surely, the man would feel extremely uncomfortable; manifesting a strong desire to change his body; a desire that is far more intense than a simple cosmetic desire. One could similarly imagine the inverse scenario for a woman. Such intense discomfort, accompanied by a desire for change, is the hallmark of gender dysphoria. In alternative conceptualizations Paul McHugh has suggested that in conceptualizing the phenomenon of gender dysphoria, clinically less emphasis should be placed on the individual's feelings or the dysphoria. Instead, he proposes that more emphasis should be placed upon the person's ideas, and ways of thinking. Drawing parallels to both body dysmorphic disorder and anorexia nervosa, Neither case should the desire for bodily change be supported clinically. Do that an effort should be made clinically to dissuade the patient of the idea that patient is overweight and of the idea that she can only be happy. If thin. In the case of Gender Dysphoria, Researchers believes that an effort should be made clinically to dissuade patients of the idea that they are in the wrong.

In the case of Gender Dysphoria, Researchers believes that an effort should be made clinically to dissuade patients of the idea that they are in the wrong body. and of the idea that he can only be happy via bodily change. By doing surgical removal of a completely healthy and fully functioning organ represents a radical departure from acceptable medical practice.In the case of anorexia nervosa, supporting the patient's desire for bodily change is likely to result in a continued loss of periodic menstruation, impairments in thinking associated with malnutrition, and even death. In the case of Gender Dysphoria, supporting bodily change can be associated with decreased anguish, without unacceptable consequences, at least in some instances.This change further focused the diagnosis on the gender identity-related distress that some transgender people experience (and for which they may seek psychiatric, medical, and surgical treatments) rather than on transgender individuals or identities themselves. It is the best treatment for this disorder. The method e used here is the conceptualizing the phenomenon of gender dysphoria, clinically less emphasis should be placed on the individual's feelings.