the tie between gender dysphoria and eating disorders
Gender dysphoria is the distress an individual experiences over their identity and assigned gender. Gender dysphoria is listed as a diagnosis within the DSM-5. This inner conflict can significantly impact an individual’s academic, personal, and social life when facing extreme discomfort over their true gender identity. Unfortunately, an individual experiencing gender dysphoria may fall victim to an eating disorder. But, there are treatment options available for those struggling with both conditions.
What Is Gender Dysphoria?
Before we explore the correlation, let’s start by discussing the complexities of gender dysphoria. The spectrum of gender holds no bounds by traditional labels, such as male or female. People who are transgender, non-binary, and intersex have openly expressed their identities with the world and have brought more attention to the non-conformities of gender identity. However, gender dysphoria occurs in individuals in their late teens or early adulthood who are unhappy or uncomfortable with their gender at birth.
What Are Symptoms of Gender Dysphoria?
Some symptoms of gender dysphoria include “a strong desire to be treated/to be of the other gender or alternate gender different from assigned gender.” (Mayo Clinic). Individuals experiencing gender dysphoria may refuse to go to school or work due to fear of being discriminated against or harassed over their clothing styles. These individuals are also at risk of developing anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, or substance use due to the extreme distress over their conflicting desire to change their gender identity. For those seeking help or wish to seek help in the future, consult with a health professional about the steps one can take towards transitioning, such as hormone therapy or surgery. Individuals can also speak with a trained counselor or psychologist about one’s thoughts and feelings surrounding gender dysphoria.
Gender Dysphoria and Eating Disorders
Despite the nature of both disorders having differential criteria, there are some similarities between the two. “At their core, both are marked by unhappiness with one’s body, and usually a desire to change it.” (Duke Health). Fueled by the age of social media, distorted body image impacts both genders by seeing curated content driven by toxic diet culture habits. With an eating disorder, individuals wish to make themselves lose weight to fit the mold of societal expectations. However, combined with gender dysphoria, individuals seek to change their bodies to reflect the gender they wish to be.
With trans men, individuals could “stunt breast growth, reduce their hips, or eliminate menstruation by restricting calorie intake.” (Very Well Mind). For trans women, disordered eating can be exhibited in an attempt to lower muscle mass, and non-binary individuals may engage in restrictive eating to become thinner (Very Well Mind). The stigma surrounding eating disorders is that they only affect women. Unfortunately, eating disorders have no boundaries and can harm anyone.
There is also a stigma surrounding individuals who are transgender seeking care from healthcare professionals. There is a need for affordable and accessible treatment options available to all individuals, no matter their background or gender identity, especially when experiencing an eating disorder or severe medical condition. Along with the work done at BALANCE, resources are available for individuals to seek help or advice, such as FEDUP Collective, Thirdwheeled, and Let’s Queer Things Up.
BALANCE Admissions Director Beck Liatt (they/them) recently hosted a TRANScending Barriers to Treatment for the LGBTQ+ Community webinar, which covers topics such as transness, gender terms, gender dysphoria v. body dysmorphia, and gender-affirming care within the eating disorder and disordered eating sphere. Click here to watch the webinar.
References
Gender Dysphoria and Eating Disorders | Duke Center for Eating Disorders. (n.d.). DukeHealth. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://eatingdisorders.dukehealth.org/education/resources/gender-dysphoria-and-eating-disorders
Eating Disorders in Transgender People. (2021, October 12). Verywell Mind. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorders-in-transgender-people-4582520
Gender dysphoria – Symptoms and causes. (2019, December 6). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms-causes/syc-20475255
This post was written by BALANCE Blog Contributor, Regina Colie (she/her).
Regina Colie is a graduate student getting her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at The School of Health Sciences of Touro College. She is looking to become a mental health counselor, specializing in eating disorders and postpartum depression. She is a firm believer in mental health advocacy, and giving women the opportunity to speak their truth.
