Children with gender dysphoria are more likely than other children to have problems with anxiety and depressed mood. It is not clear if anxiety and depression are the main cause of gender dysphoria. Researchers have found some children …show more content…
The Standards of Care outlined by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH, formerly the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association; Meyer et al., 2001) recommends against physical interventions before the age of 16. They prefer that surgery should only be performed after the age of 18 and after the individual has lived in their desired gender role for at least two years. Puberty delaying hormones are sometimes considered for adolescents so that they can have more time to explore their gender identity before experiencing the physical changes that come with the transition (Canandian Psychological Assiation …show more content…
This treatment is designed to eliminate feminine behavior and develop masculine traits which is called behaviorist reinforcement procedures carriage (Tom McIntyre & Joel VonOrsteiner 2001). A successful outcome results in a turning of the client’s social attention toward the display of masculine behavior (Wolfe, 1979).
During behavioral therapy treatment sessions adolescents are videotaped while walking, conversing, sitting, and socializing with male peers (Tom McIntyre & Joel VonOrsteiner 2001). After they are recorded the patient would watch the tape while the therapist points out feminine mannerisms. They would then be instructed in how to replace their present actions with more traditional masculine behavior carriage (Tom McIntyre & Joel VonOrsteiner 2001). Later videotape viewing would point out progress in certain areas, and work would continue on changing mannerisms. Under the program, Gender Dysphoria young children are also tutored in masculine athletics and given praise for their efforts by an athletic male role model (Tom McIntyre & Joel VonOrsteiner