During this period of my research I focused on my last person Renee Richards
Renee Richards is a part of a rapidly growing movement, the Transgender Movement. She formally was a man and an American ophthalmologist. She also was formally a famous and successful tennis player. As gender dysphoria continues to become popular and prominent in our society, so does a rise in suicide and depression. How do we approach gender dysphoria as a mental illness while still being sensitive and understanding?
Something needs to change.
Non-negotiable Statistics:
*"Transitioning" treatment has not been shown to reduce the high rate of suicide attempts among people who identify as transgender (41 percent, compared with 4.6 percent of the general population.)
*People who have had transition surgery are nineteen times more likely than average to die by suicide.
*A study from Boston published earlier this year in the Journal of Adolescent Health, reported that 180 transsexual youth (106 female-to-male; 74 male-to-female) had a two-fold to three-fold increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harm without lethal intent, and both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment compared to a control group of youth.
These stats need to change for the betterment of the American society. How do we address these issues without offending people?
My questions were answered through the recently published novel called When Harry Became Sally, written by Ryan T Anderson.
In order for a change in statistics we must address gender dysphoria as a mental illness and not just another fad.
Anderson states, "So people are suffering from gender dysphoria; they are not generally finding well-being through sex reassignment
procedures; and these poor outcomes cannot be explained solely by social stigma. We need to seek more effective therapies based on
scientific evidence, and this requires gaining a clearer understanding of what causes gender dysphoria. Without a clear understanding of
causes, any discussion of treatment must proceed with caution and humility" (Anderson 94).
This is key to helping those affected by gender dysphoria and giving them the help they want and need.
Renee Richards
After living a life in California with a wife and children, Dr. Richards came to the realization that he was a woman trapped in a man's body. Renee Richards began her transitioning and moved to New York where she became a professional tennis player. Richards suffered with depression and anxiety throughout her life because of the pressures of society and discrimmination. Although she is still content with her choice to transition, she wished that she could change certain things about her transition and to not transition in the public eye.
"I have misgivings about that. I am nostalgic about what would have happened if I had done it the other way,” said the 6-foot-2-inch tall Richards with an unmistakable air of sadness as she folds her man-sized hands in her lap." -Renee Richards
Next Steps
My next steps consist of creating an official script and presentation for the Capstone presentations. Follow my progress with the links below!
Something needs to change.
Non-negotiable Statistics:
*"Transitioning" treatment has not been shown to reduce the high rate of suicide attempts among people who identify as transgender (41 percent, compared with 4.6 percent of the general population.)
*People who have had transition surgery are nineteen times more likely than average to die by suicide.
*A study from Boston published earlier this year in the Journal of Adolescent Health, reported that 180 transsexual youth (106 female-to-male; 74 male-to-female) had a two-fold to three-fold increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorder, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, self-harm without lethal intent, and both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment compared to a control group of youth.
These stats need to change for the betterment of the American society. How do we address these issues without offending people?
My questions were answered through the recently published novel called When Harry Became Sally, written by Ryan T Anderson.
In order for a change in statistics we must address gender dysphoria as a mental illness and not just another fad.
Anderson states, "So people are suffering from gender dysphoria; they are not generally finding well-being through sex reassignment
procedures; and these poor outcomes cannot be explained solely by social stigma. We need to seek more effective therapies based on
scientific evidence, and this requires gaining a clearer understanding of what causes gender dysphoria. Without a clear understanding of
causes, any discussion of treatment must proceed with caution and humility" (Anderson 94).
This is key to helping those affected by gender dysphoria and giving them the help they want and need.
Renee Richards
After living a life in California with a wife and children, Dr. Richards came to the realization that he was a woman trapped in a man's body. Renee Richards began her transitioning and moved to New York where she became a professional tennis player. Richards suffered with depression and anxiety throughout her life because of the pressures of society and discrimmination. Although she is still content with her choice to transition, she wished that she could change certain things about her transition and to not transition in the public eye.
"I have misgivings about that. I am nostalgic about what would have happened if I had done it the other way,” said the 6-foot-2-inch tall Richards with an unmistakable air of sadness as she folds her man-sized hands in her lap." -Renee Richards
Next Steps
My next steps consist of creating an official script and presentation for the Capstone presentations. Follow my progress with the links below!