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Original poster

Troubled by NHS gender dysphoria page

32 replies

CollatalieSisters · 20/05/2015 19:22

Linked in the "born in wrong body" thread. Sorry if already done to death, but I was shocked by this. Are others?

How would it be if the NHS identified a condition whereby sufferers of the condition found it painfully difficult to confirm to, say, a social expectation that they should have sex only with people of the opposite sex? or of the same race?

My question is, at what point does it cease to be a medical condition and start to be a symptom of a fucked up society?
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gender-dysphoria/Pages/Introduction.aspx

"Signs of gender dysphoria

The first signs of gender dysphoria can appear at a very young age. For example, a child may refuse to wear typical boys' or girls' clothes, or dislike taking part in typical boys' or girls' games and activities.

In most cases, this type of behaviour is just a normal part of growing up and will pass in time, but for those with gender dysphoria it persists into later childhood and through to adulthood.

Adults with gender dysphoria can feel trapped inside a body that does not match their gender identity. They may feel so unhappy about social expectations that they live according to their anatomical sex, rather than the gender they feel themselves to be."

Other parts relate to problems of physicality, which I find it easier to conceptualize. And I don't begin to understand how painful this condition must be.

But playing with the wrong toys? Really?

OP posts:
HarveySpectre · 22/05/2015 02:33

I agree

It is barking mad IMO. I cannot fathom, how that ever got written and put up on the site

I think we need to lobby to have it changed. It totally reinforces gender syereotypes

hobNong · 20/05/2015 23:40

I was the one who linked to it in the last thread and I found it very disturbing. Would be great if we could replace it with your version.

tribpot · 20/05/2015 23:32

How would it be if the NHS identified a condition whereby sufferers of the condition found it painfully difficult to confirm to, say, a social expectation that they should have sex only with people of the opposite sex?

Actually it did until quite recently. In fairness it was the WHO rather than the NHS but the ICD coding system used to classify clinical conditions had homosexuality classified as a mental disorder. (This is a bit of a simplification of the reality - you can read something about it here if you wish).

However, what I would say is:

  • the NHS Choices pages are aiming to present clear and straightforward medical information
  • if you disagree with the wording, let them know. Their Editorial Policy is available.
LassUnparalleled · 20/05/2015 23:18

How would you define feeling trapped in the wrong body? "Wrong " in what sense?

scallopsrgreat · 20/05/2015 23:15

Yes so do I. I am quite disturbed by the fact that there is an expectation that wearing clothes traditionally worn by the opposite sex or playing with toys aimed at the opposite sex 'will pass'. As if it is wrong to do that. Seriously?

Also gender and sex appears to be conflated. Gender dysphoria is not the same as feeling trapped in the wrong body. Gender being a social construct and all.

LagerthaEarlIngstad · 20/05/2015 21:42

I love your rewrite.

Original poster
CollatalieSisters · 20/05/2015 19:30

Why not "The first signs of gender dysphoria a child's individual personality can appear at a very young age. For example, a child may refuse to wear typical boys' or girls' clothes, or dislike taking part in typical boys' or girls' games and activities.

In most cases, this type of behaviour is just a normal part of growing up and will pass in time, but for those with gender dysphoria the stubbornness to ignore the arbitrary rules of society it persists into later childhood and through to adulthood.

Adults with gender dysphoria an interest in gender equality can feel trapped inside a body society that does not match their aspiration for a life unconstrained by norms about gender identity and behaviour. They may feel so unhappy about social expectations that they live according to their anatomical sex, rather than the gender they feel themselves to be their own principles and interests."

OP posts: