{"id":7817,"date":"2019-07-04T05:48:48","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T05:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7817"},"modified":"2021-04-19T21:01:57","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T21:01:57","slug":"20-helpful-ways-to-deal-combat-dysphoria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/20-helpful-ways-to-deal-combat-dysphoria\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Helpful Ways to Deal & Combat Dysphoria"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Every parent wants what is best for their child, and that means wanting to support them in whatever decisions they make. We want our children to feel free to be themselves and to develop and express themselves in any way they so choose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But at the same time, we also want them to be happy. And that means sometimes trying to protect them from choices, experiences, and difficulties. This is where the more protective parent comes in. The difficulty is in being protective and caring, without running the risk of being confining or controlling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body dysphoria is a condition that raises all of these issues and more. Here, a person \u2013 often a child but not always \u2013 will find themselves feeling uncomfortable with their biological gender. To put it more simply, a boy might find themselves wishing they were a girl, or a girl might wish they were a boy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many symptoms of dysphoria, including depression, cross-dressing, anxiety and withdrawal, and potentially fear of puberty. Once you identify these symptoms, the next step is to be able to help your child, loved-one \u2013 or self even \u2013 to cope and better understand the situation. Here are some common options for treating or managing the symptoms of dysphoria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing that loved ones can do for someone struggling with gender dysphoria, is to provide them with a safe space for communicating their concerns and discussing them. This means providing a sympathetic ear, in order to better understand the way that a person is feeling and to help them to express themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many children who are experiencing gender dysphoria<\/a> will feel as though they can\u2019t tell anyone. They may struggle with feelings of shame or embarrassment, or they might be scared. Being able to speak with someone who loves them and who is able to show unconditional love can make a huge difference to their happiness. The way you respond to this news is likely to determine whether they speak to you more in the future, as well as how able to help you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2 Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of therapy <\/a>is not to \u2018cure\u2019 the dysphoria. Keep in mind that dysphoria itself is not an illness or a problem necessarily. The issue here is your child\u2019s happiness and how they feel, so the most important thing you need to do is to help them better understand what is happening to them and how to cope with it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where therapy comes in \u2013 the purpose of which is to help a child cope with complex emotions and feel more confident about expressing themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many different types of therapy, but one of the most effective and popular right now is CBT. This stands for cognitive behavioral therapy and is a form of therapy that works by helping the individual to better understand the reasons they feel like they do and the thoughts that might be standing in the way of happiness. They will learn to remove negative thoughts that lead to shame, guilt, or destructive feelings, and replace them with more positive and encouraging ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many other forms of therapy too, and the most important thing is to ensure that the style of treatment is well suited to the patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3 Puberty Blockers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of puberty blockers is, of course, to block and prevent the onset of puberty. This is a hormonal treatment that can prevent the growth of hair and the deepening of the voice in men, and which can prevent the development of breasts and menstruation in women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many children who experience dysphoria, find themselves feeling extremely scared and anxious at the prospect of puberty. Puberty<\/a>, in essence, will force physical changes that they are not prepared for and that will take them further away from the person that they are trying to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puberty blockers can remove this additional form of stress, but it is important to recognize that it is also a treatment that comes with side effects and risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4 Family Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Family therapy is a therapy <\/a>that involves the whole family. The idea, of course, is not to assign blame, but rather to look at potentially dysfunctional patterns, relationships, and communication \u2013 and to help change these for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, someone who is going through this will find themselves extremely vulnerable and in need of support: being able to offer that as a family is extremely important and family therapy can help to make this possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Family therapy will typically involve sessions for the whole family, as well as specific individuals, and unique pairings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5 Hormonal Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hormonal therapy is a form of therapy that involves injecting artificial hormones <\/a>in order to trigger physical and psychological changes. The aforementioned puberty blockers are an example of hormonal therapy that is targeted at young children. However, hormone therapy is also used for adults experiencing dysphoria as a way to help them transition permanently and biologically to become the gender they wish to be. For example, a woman wishing to be a man may receive testosterone injections in order to increase masculinity. A man wishing to be a woman might use estrogen injections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These changes can bring on many physical alterations \u2013 men will see the formation of breasts for instance (gynecomastia), while women will see the hair growth and increased muscle mass. This is one of the first steps toward becoming another gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hormone therapy does have side effects and can cause everything from acne, to insomnia, to mood swings. It is not safe for children who are still developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6 Hair Removal\/Speech and Language Therapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hair removal is an example of a more surface-level change that can have more profound implications psychologically. This form of treatment<\/a>\/management is intended primarily for men who wish to be more feminine and might involve plucking and removing hairs from the face, the legs, the arms, and elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, there are many different kinds of hair removal, but many will require general maintenance. A woman might feel less feminine while shaving her face, which is why permanently removing hair via laser treatment can have a significant psychological benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, speech and language therapy can be used to help a person to feel more masculine or feminine and to present themselves in that way. Even acting can be useful to teach mannerisms and behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7 Peer Support Groups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Peer support groups can be immensely helpful. People going through psychological <\/a>trials like this can often find themselves feeling isolated and alone \u2013 as though no one understands what they are experiencing or can help. Many find that just knowing others are out there who are going through the same thing can be immensely helpful and gratifying. Not only that, but it will provide a way for them to exchange notes and tips, and spend time socially in a group that will be non-judgemental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, it is also important for that outside of support groups to offer their support in other ways. This is particularly the responsibility of family and friends, who should show their support in any way they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8 Surgery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, for adults, there is always the option of surgery<\/a>. This can involve full sex-change surgery, but it might also involve smaller and less invasive alterations. For instance, many men transitioning to women might wish to undergo feminization surgery which means shaving bones in order to create a more feminine aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, breast augmentation is another option. This is more a complicated procedure than breast enlargement for a woman, as there is not the usual breast pocket available or the usual fatty deposits. However, with the help of hormone therapy and skilled surgeons, it is possible to create a natural and feminine looking bust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deciding to go through potentially painful and in some cases non-reversible procedures is a big decision and one that men and women alike should be absolutely sure of before they go ahead. In some cases though, it can help you to feel more like yourself and have tremendous psychological benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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