Coping with Gender Dysphoria in a Rural Environment during Adolescence

Authors

  • Ana Luísa Ribeiro Medicina Geral e Familiar. Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Chaves. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9995-8072
  • Carlos Magalhães Vieira Medicina Geral e Familiar. Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Chaves. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0057-6694
  • Marta Pires Ribeiro Medicina Geral e Familiar. Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Chaves. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7194-4776
  • Justino Gonçalves Serviço de Psiquiatria da Infância e Adolescência. Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Vila Real.
  • Paulo Ribeiro Psicologia Clínica. Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. Vila Real.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.19731

Keywords:

Adolescent, Gender Dysphoria, Gender Identity, Rural Population

Abstract

Gender dysphoria is socially more visible and discussed today, but still underdiagnosed. It refers to distress and/or impaired function caused by inconsistency between the sex assigned at birth and gender identification. Clinical manifestations are variable. Lack of training and investment in gender issues make the diagnosis and management in primary care complex, particularly in conservative and isolated communities, with poor access to information and specialized health services. We describe the diagnosis of gender dysphoria and use of a patient centered multidisciplinary and family approach in a 12-year-old rural born adolescent, assigned female at birth. Our aim is to raise awareness of early symptoms and signs of gender dysphoria and problems faced by transgender people and their families during childhood, leading to gender dysphoria, and we hope our successful approach might improve healthcare provision for these patients, particularly in rural areas.

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References

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Published

2024-01-22

How to Cite

1.
Ribeiro AL, Magalhães Vieira C, Pires Ribeiro M, Gonçalves J, Ribeiro P. Coping with Gender Dysphoria in a Rural Environment during Adolescence. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2024 Jan. 22 [cited 2024 Dec. 26];37(5):386-90. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/19731

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Section

Case Report