[Trans Healthcare : Between Depsychopathologization and A needs-based Treatment of Accompanying Mental Disorders]

Overview

Journal Nervenarzt

Specialty Neurology

Date 2017 Mar 15

PMID 28289794

Citations 3

Authors

T O Nieder

A Guldenring

A Kohler

P Briken

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Historically, the function of psychiatry and psychotherapy in the healthcare treatment of transsexualism has been impaired by the basic assumption that non-conforming gender experiences and behavior are automatically considered as expressions of psychopathology.

Objective: In line with revision of the diagnostic criteria and changing standards of care and treatment recommendations, the therapeutic relationship between mental healthcare professionals and transgender individuals is critically discussed aiming at providing a needs-based psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment and a patient-centered approach for trans persons.

Material And Methods: Literature search focusing on the prevalence of trans persons and the presence of accompanying mental disorders. Discussion of professional experiences with mental healthcare of trans persons.

Results: Trans persons without clinically relevant mental distress do not need any kind of psychiatric or psychotherapeutic treatment; however, trans people with clinically relevant mental impairment need safe access to mental healthcare without linking the trans identity a priori to a mental disorder.

Conclusion: In order to ensure individual trans healthcare in the long term, the therapeutic relationship should take into account both the body knowledge and self-determination of trans persons as well as the clinical expertise of mental healthcare professionals.

Citing Articles

Experienced barriers of care within European treatment seeking transgender individuals: A multicenter ENIGI follow-up study.

Ross M, van de Grift T, Elaut E, Nieder T, Becker-Hebly I, Heylens G Int J Transgend Health. 2023; 24(1):26-37.

PMID: 36713146 PMC: 9879197. DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2021.1964409.

The expectations of transgender people in the face of their health-care access difficulties and how they can be overcome. A qualitative study in France.

Allory E, Duval E, Caroff M, Kendir C, Magnan R, Brau B Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2020; 21:e62.

PMID: 33323162 PMC: 7801925. DOI: 10.1017/S1463423620000638.

The Needs of LGBTI People Regarding Health Care Structures, Prevention Measures and Diagnostic and Treatment Procedures: A Qualitative Study in a German Metropolis.

Lampalzer U, Behrendt P, Dekker A, Briken P, Nieder T Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(19).

PMID: 31546719 PMC: 6801863. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193547.

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