For the second part, imagine a 13-year-old female client is brought by her parents to see you. Her parents are concerned because they report their daughter is very unhappy with being a girl. She is increasingly being teased at school because she looks, dresses, and tries to act like a boy. She is an active athlete, but will only play contact sports with boys. The client states she does not like her breasts and wishes she could have them removed. She reports that she has always wanted to be a boy for as long as she can remember. Give a DSM diagnosis for the presenting problem. Include an assessment of the client’s ability to function in daily life. Be sure to pay particular attention to the symptoms of the disorder and the influence it has on the client, as well as the client’s family.
A DSM diagnosis of each client
An explanation of your rationale for assigning these diagnoses on the basis of the DSM
An explanation of what other information you might need about each client to make an accurate diagnosis
A brief description of additional individuals you might include in your assessment and explain why
Discuss how you would produce a comfortable environment to lead your clients to discuss their issues
Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources as well as current literature used in its preparation. You are to provide a reference list for all resources, including those in the Learning Resources for this course.
McCarthy, B. W., & Fucito, L. M. (2005).Integrating medication, realistic expectations, and therapeutic interventions in the treatment of male sexual dysfunction. Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, 31(4), 319–328.
Stein, E. (2012). Commentary on the treatment of gender variant and gender dysphoric children and adolescents: Common themes and ethical reflections.Journal Of Homosexuality, 59(3), 480–500.
Zucker, K. J., Wood, H., Singh, D., & Bradley, S. J. (2012). A developmental, biopsychosocial model for the treatment of children with gender identity disorder. Journal Of Homosexuality, 59(3), 369–397
Based on the presented information, the client may have Gender dysphoria, as defined by the DSM-5. Gender dysphoria is characterized by a marked incongruence between an individual’s experienced/expressed gender and their assigned gender, and a strong desire to be treated as the opposite gender, or a strong desire to be rid of their primary or secondary sex characteristics. The client’s reported unhappiness with being a girl, desire to have breasts removed, and desire to be a boy align with the criteria for this diagnosis.
To make a more accurate diagnosis, additional information would be needed such as the client’s history of gender identity and expression, any co-occurring mental health conditions, and any history of past treatment. It would be important to also assess the client’s ability to function in daily life, including their social and familial relationships, as well as their academic and occupational functioning.
In assessing the client, it would be important to include the client’s parents, as they have reported concerns and have likely been present for the development of the client’s gender identity. It would also be beneficial to include the client’s teachers and any other relevant professionals, such as school counselors, to gather information about the client’s functioning in different environments.
To create a comfortable environment for the client to discuss their issues, it is important to establish trust and rapport with the client, and to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for them to share their thoughts and feelings. It is also important to use language and terminology that aligns with the client’s self-identified gender and to be sensitive to the client’s needs and experiences.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
Stein, E. (2012). Commentary on the treatment of gender variant and gender dysphoric children and adolescents: Common themes and ethical reflections. Journal of Homosexuality, 59(3), 480–500.
Zucker, K. J., Wood, H., Singh, D., & Bradley, S. J. (2012). A developmental, biopsychosocial model for the treatment of children with gender identity disorder. Journal of Homosexuality, 59(3), 369–397.
