NR 606 Week 6 Discussion; Case Presentation on Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents

WEEK 6 Discussion Lysette NkongyoOct 7 11:13 am | Last reply Oct 9 2:36 pm Reply from Lysette Nkongyo Create a case presentation for a client between the ages of 14 and 18 years of age based on your assigned diagnosis. Describe the symptoms that meet the criteria for the diagnosis, and include pertinent medical, educational, and family history. Gender Dysphoria in Adolescence (Age 14–18) Alex is a 15-year-old assigned female at birth who has recently expressed a strong, consistent identification as male. Over the past year, he has experienced significant emotional distress related to his gender identity, describing feelings of discomfort when addressed with female pronouns and during physical changes of puberty. He has also become more withdrawn at school and reports low self-esteem and occasional sadness. These symptoms meet the DSM-5-TR diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria, which emphasize a marked incongruence between one’s experienced gender and assigned sex that causes significant distress or impairment (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Alex lives with supportive parents who are still learning about gender identity and navigating how best to assist him, while school support remains limited, with occasional incidents of teasing from peers. Based on the case, select management strategies you would recommend. Provide support from a scholarly source to support your decision. A comprehensive, gender-affirming approach is most appropriate for Alex. This should begin with psychotherapy led by a clinician experienced in working with gender-diverse adolescents, focusing on identity exploration, coping strategies, and emotional regulation. Family education sessions can help his parents better understand gender diversity and reduce their uncertainty. A referral to a pediatric endocrinologist may be considered to discuss puberty blockers or hormone therapy, depending on Alex’s readiness and clinical eligibility. Recent studies have shown that gender-affirming care, including puberty suppression when appropriate, can reduce depression and anxiety while improving overall quality of life for transgender youth (Chen et al., 2024; Kaltiala et al., 2023). Describe a minimum of two referrals you would make for the client and include your rationale. Two referrals would benefit Alex’s care plan. First, he should be referred to a multidisciplinary gender clinic, where psychological, medical, and social support are integrated to ensure coordinated care. Second, referral to a school-based counselor or LGBTQ+ youth organization can provide emotional and social reinforcement, helping him build confidence and peer support in affirming spaces. Research has demonstrated that youth who experience affirmation in school settings report fewer depressive symptoms and greater well-being compared to those who do not receive such support (McBride et al., 2023). Analyze one ethical or legal consideration related to the treatment of a client with your assigned diagnosis.