ESPEYB15 6 Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development Psychological aspects (2 abstracts)
Department of Pediatrics, S. Orsola-Malpighi Bologna University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
To read the full abstract: Sex Dev. 2018;12(1-3):123-134
There is a paucity of psychological follow-up studies in DSD patients. This is especially problematic since differences in sex development often affect the individual in fundamental ways that are related to their self-perception and social experiences. In this paper, the authors explain, in an illustrative way, the different strategies that can be used in the clinic to identify and assess psychological issues in individuals with DSD. This article gives useful information for clinicians and researchers to identify, assess and address the specific questions and psychological issues that may arise. The methodological issues discussed in the article provide the tools for such work. As exemplified by the next article (6.18), individuals with a DSD seem to be more vulnerable and may need professional psychological support, which should be included in all multidisciplinary teams.