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Care for Adults with Gender Dysphoria

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Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development

Part of the book series: Focus on Sexuality Research ((FOSR))

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the care for adults with gender dysphoria from the last decades of 1900 until recently, with a short vision for the future. The view on the care of individuals with gender issues has changed tremendously. This evolution is described here: from a psychotic illness, through a rather strict definition of “transsexualism,” towards a broader description of gender-variant individuals. Also, the treatment has evolved simultaneously: from antipsychotic drugs, through medical treatment (hormones and surgery) of the “true transsexual” and the psychotherapeutic approach with the adult with “secondary transsexualism,” towards a variety of possible treatments and transitions (social and/or physical), determined by the preference of the individual in consultation with the mental healthcare provider. In the most recent years, the focus has been on de-psychopathologization of gender variance; on the human rights of gender-variant people; on the effect of stigmatization, discrimination, and victimization; and on ways to prevent these negative social experiences.

Although the care of individuals with gender dysphoria has improved significantly over the past 50 years, more work needs to be done. Twenty-first-century gender care described in this volume should also be more readily available in the Southern Hemisphere and the Asia-Pacific Region. In the meantime, research evaluating treatment with the continuous aim of improving the care of individuals with gender dysphoria remains an important focus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Sexology and Gender Problems, University Hospital Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Griet De Cuypere M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Medical Psychology, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Luk Gijs Ph.D.

  3. Institute of Family and Sexuality Studies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    Luk Gijs Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Griet De Cuypere M.D., Ph.D.
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  2. Luk Gijs Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Griet De Cuypere M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, ...., Amsterdam, 1007 MB, Netherlands

    Baudewijntje P.C. Kreukels

  2. Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, Netherlands

    Thomas D. Steensma

  3. Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Department of Child and Adolescent Psych, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam, 1007 MB, Netherlands

    Annelou L.C. de Vries

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De Cuypere, G., Gijs, L. (2014). Care for Adults with Gender Dysphoria. In: Kreukels, B., Steensma, T., de Vries, A. (eds) Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development. Focus on Sexuality Research. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-7441-8_12

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