#178: What is Gender Dysphoria? Ken Zucker, Clinical Psychologist

Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/H8kJFn23MWA

I've always been interested in the topic of Gender Dysphoria (GD) and Conversion Therapy. I am noticing many are making sweeping statements on GD and what the implications for youth are. I wanted to explore the topic more with one of the most well-renowned researchers and Clinical Psychologists on the topic: Ken Zucker.

Who is Ken Zucker?

Kenneth Zucker is a Canadian psychologist and researcher who has studied and treated gender identity issues, including gender dysphoria, for many years. He is known for his work in the field of gender identity development in children and adolescents, and his approach to treatment has been controversial.

Zucker is the former head of the Gender Identity Service at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Canada, and has published numerous articles and books on gender identity development and treatment. His approach to treatment has been criticized by some in the transgender community who feel that his methods, which included encouraging children to conform to their assigned gender, were harmful and outdated.

In 2015, an external review of the CAMH gender identity clinic found that some of Zucker's practices were not in line with current standards of care for transgender people, and he was subsequently dismissed from his position at the clinic. Since then, Zucker has continued to publish and speak on the topic of gender identity development and treatment, but his work remains controversial and continues to be the subject of debate in the scientific and transgender communities.

What is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is a medical term used to describe the distress or discomfort that some people experience when the gender they were assigned at birth does not match their gender identity. In other words, a person with gender dysphoria may feel that their biological sex (male or female) does not correspond to the gender they feel they are (male, female, or non-binary).

Gender dysphoria can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including feeling uncomfortable with one's body, experiencing anxiety or depression related to gender identity, and feeling a strong desire to live as a gender different from the one assigned at birth.

It is important to note that gender dysphoria is not the same as being transgender. While many transgender people experience gender dysphoria, not all do, and experiencing gender dysphoria does not necessarily mean that someone is transgender. Gender dysphoria is considered a medical condition and can be treated through a variety of means, including therapy, hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgery.

What are Some of the Behaviours Children Exhibit that May Lead to a Diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria?

Children who experience gender dysphoria may display a range of characteristics that indicate their discomfort or distress with the gender they were assigned at birth. These characteristics may include:

1. A persistent and strong desire to be of the opposite gender or a gender that is different from the one assigned at birth.
2. Strong feelings of discomfort, anxiety, or distress about their assigned gender.
3. Preference for clothing, toys, or activities typically associated with the opposite gender.
4. Insistence on being addressed by a name or pronoun that matches their gender identity, rather than their assigned gender.
5. Rejection of clothing, toys, or activities typically associated with their assigned gender.
6. Distress or discomfort about their physical body, especially