Body Dysphoria

The Epidemic Behind Gender Dysphoria

Imagine you are an insecure teenager and your body is rapidly going through changes. When you look in the mirror, you don’t like what you see. Although unlike standard insecurities teenagers deal with, this is different. You aren’t happy with what you see because your outsides don’t seem to match your insides. Maybe it’s because you have always felt more like a boy growing up? And now, you’ve started developing breasts. Or the other way around. Since you don’t feel safe telling anyone what’s going on, you begin feeling overwhelmingly depressed.

Trapped Inside Your Own Body

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute, 51% percent of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals attempt suicide within a given year. Adolescents with identity issues are more likely to be depressed, anxious, or suicidal. This is because they have feelings of varying degrees of being mismatched between their preferred gender and their developing bodies.

Gender dysphoria is a complicated subject for some individuals. It is essential for parents to be supportive when a child is struggling with these types of body issues. Congratulations if your son or daughter has decided to share their true self with you on this topic. It is a gift because they want you to know who they really are. But if you are asking yourself as a parent, what now, here are a few tips we’d like to share:

• First, and most important of all, tell them you love them. Let them know how proud you are of them for sharing themselves with you. Unconditional love should be the foundation for all children, despite what they are going through.
• Stay away from giving your children labels, such as ‘tomboy.’ Let them define themselves when they are ready.
• Be supportive and let them know they can dress any way they want.
• Help them find a support group with other kids that have similar non-conforming issues.
• Seek a professional therapist who can support the adolescent through the process.
• Be sensitive and ask your son or daughter what pronoun they want you to use. If by habit you forget and use the wrong pronoun, just apologize. Don’t make a big deal out of it.
• Be aware if your child is being bullied at school or within the community. Take steps to keep them safe by contacting the school counselor or principal.
• Educate yourself on gender nonconforming behavior. You can do this by finding material that offer parenting strategies. Experts don’t always agree, so find what works for you and what doesn’t work.
• Make sure to see your own therapist so you have the support you need to navigate unfamiliar territory.

Polaris is a residential treatment center that specializes in treating LGBTQ teens. Our hand-picked staff have a proven ability to diagnose and treat gender dysphoria in adolescents. Discover the Polaris difference. and learn about our individualized approach to recovery. For more information on our programs or to get in touch with an admissions specialist, contact us today.