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#JamesDonaldson On #MentalHealth – #MentalHealth For #Transgender #Men: What To know
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#Transgender #men face a number of unique #mentalhealthconcerns. Working past personal and societal stigmas may help them access care and find the help they need.
Some #mentalhealthconditions are more common in #transgender #men. Treatments, including #hormonetherapy, may help alleviate symptoms of #mentalhealthissues, though not everyone wants these.
As a close friend or family member of a #transgender #man, there are some ways to support their transition and #mentalhealth. This can include holding space for them or offering support to find quality #mentalhealthcare.
Keep reading to learn more about #mentalhealth in #transgender #men, from common issues, the unique difficulties #transgender men may face, and how to help and support them.
#Genderaffirming environments can help support the #mentalhealth of a #transgender #man.
A study in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine notes the difference between markers of #mentalhealth in #cisgender people of college age and gender minority people. In this context, #gender minority means those who identify with a #gender other than they were assigned at birth.
In general, #gender minority people seem to have a significantly higher prevalence of #mentalhealth symptoms.
According to this study, #gender minority people are more than four times as likely to have at least one #mentalhealthproblem compared with their #cisgender counterparts.
Possible #mentalhealthdisorders include:
#depression
#anxiety
#self-harm
#eatingdisorders
#suicidalthoughts or tendencies
A similar study in BMC Public HealthTrusted Source also found that #transgender people were more likely to experience reduced life satisfaction and increased signs of #loneliness.
There are a number of reasons why this may be the case.
For more research-backed information and resources for men’s #health, please visit our dedicated hub.
There are many contributing factors why #transgender #men and #transgender people may face more #mentalhealthconditions than other groups.
Overall, #transgender people may have increased stressors throughout their lives than their #cisgender peers when it comes to #sexualorientation and #genderidentity.
These stressors may include:
rejection from family
rejection by loved ones
low #self-esteem
poor coping skills
body image issues
poor sexual satisfaction
avoidant #behaviors
The effect of these stressors throughout life may contribute to lower #mentalhealth.
#Loneliness may also play a role in #mentalhealthissues.
In #transgender #men, specifically, romantic #loneliness appears to be the strongest factor. The study associated higher levels of #loneliness with lower levels of #mentalhealth.
As #loneliness may be more likely in #transgender people, its effects may manifest as poor #mentalhealth.
Societal expectations may also play a role. Social attitudes to gender expression can vary greatly from one place to the next.
Because of this, #transgender men may face discrimination throughout their lives. They may experience:
possible violence
personal prejudices
social #stigma
These factors can influence the negative #mentalhealth aspects that #transgender people sometimes experience.
The #stigma surrounding both #mentalhealth and #gender minority identities may also keep people from reaching out or seeking help.
This silence itself may reduce the access a person has to support and may promote a cycle of needing help, feeling bad for needing help, and feeling even worse because of this trap.
Leaving these issues untreated may lead to worsened #mentalhealth and, in extreme cases, to deep #depression or #suicide.
#Suicideprevention
If you know someone at immediate risk of #self-harm, #suicide, or hurting another person:
Ask the tough question: “Are you considering #suicide?”
Listen to the person without judgment.
Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis #counselor.
Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of #suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The #988SuicideandCrisisLifeline is available 24 hours a day at #988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then #988.
#James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.#http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle
Order your copy of James Donaldson’s latest book, #CelebratingYourGiftofLife: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy
#Mentalhealthissues may affect #transgender #men differently than their #cisgender peers, especially if the person does not have access to #genderaffirming treatments.
Treatments that affirm #genderidentity may help ease symptoms, while treatments that deny someone’s identity may not.
#Mentalhealthissues may also affect #transgender #men differently than #cisgender people if they do not have access to a proper support system.
Whether from their peer group, family, or general population, acceptance of a person’s #genderidentity may be a big step toward improving their #mentalhealth.
#Genderaffirminghormonetherapy (#GAHT) involves giving a person with #genderdysphoria safe doses of hormones to help them transition to their true #genderidentity.
GAHT reduces symptoms of #mentalhealthissues, such as #anxiety and #depression, reduces markers of social #stress, and improves quality of life and #self-esteem.
Hormone therapy is often an integral part of alleviating #genderdysphoria and may be key to treating underlying #mentalhealthissues.
It is important to note that while many #transgender people choose GAHT to help affirm their #genderidentity, not all #transgender people will opt for or even desire this treatment.
As a friend or family member of a #transgender #man, it may be difficult to imagine what they are going through during transition. A cisgender person may never completely understand the process or difficulty a #transgender person faces during these times.
Crucially, friends and family members of a #transgender #man can aim to be supportive.
Creating a #genderaffirming environment in a familial or social setting may help ease #genderdysphoria. It may also make it easier to facilitate treatment for underlying #mentalhealthconditions.
As part of this supportive role, it may help to:
become educated about #transgender issues and solutions
avoid making assumptions about someone’s sexual preferences, #gender roles, or desire for treatment
advocate for #transgenderrights
It can take time to adjust to a person’s identity as they transition, and the change may produce reactions, judgments, or confusion.
#Mentalhealthprofessionals and support groups may offer tools and resources, not just for the #transgender person undergoing the transition, but for those close to them, as well.
As the National LGBT Health Education Center note, the #mentalillness and #mentalhealth of a #transgender person are entirely separate from the fact that they are #transgender. Proper treatment will reflect this.
#Genderdysphoria, or the feeling or #stress of a person not having the same #genderidentity as the sex they were assigned at birth, is a #mentalhealthdisorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of #MentalHealthDisorders (DSM-5).
While many #transgender people may struggle with #genderdysphoria, and seek treatment for it, having a #transgender identity is not the same thing. It is not in the DSM-5, as it is not a form of psychopathy.
For most people, affirming their #genderidentity through gender-affirming health practices and treatments can treat their feelings of #genderdysphoria.
Some people will need hormone therapy and surgery to fully alleviate their #genderdysphoria, while others may not need either.
In many cases treating #genderdysphoria may reduce signs of #mentalhealthissues, such as #depression and #anxiety.
Properly treating #genderdysphoria can reduce the stressors on a #transgender person and help them focus on any underlying issues.
While focusing on #gender-affirming treatments, #mentalhealthspecialists can also diagnose and treat any other underlying #mentalhealthissues, such as #depression, #anxiety, or #eatingdisorders.
Treatment for individual #mentalhealthissues can vary greatly. Therapies may include a combination of prescription medications and various forms of psychotherapy.
It is essential that these treatments also integrate gender-affirming environments and therapies that support favorable outcomes in #transgender people.
#Transgender #men face unique #mentalhealthissues, and working towards a solution is a delicate process.
Some drugs and hormone therapy may alleviate stressful symptoms, though not every #transgender #man will choose these options.
It is important to support someone through their transition and as they seek #mentalhealthcare when they need it.
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James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
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