Integrating perspectives of transgender and gender-diverse youth, family members, and professionals to support their health and wellbeing - a mixed-method study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The current literature highlights a strong link between the poor health outcomes of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals and their negative experiences in various areas of life. Most of these publications rely on adults' memories, lacking a focus on the current experiences and needs of young transgender and gender-diverse individuals. Furthermore, previous studies on support for these young people often solely consider the perspectives of TGD adults or professionals and rarely involve parents' viewpoints. METHODS: This study will use a mixed sequential method with a participatory approach. Firstly, the qualitative phase will explore the difficulties and needs of TGD (15-20 years old) and of the families and professionals who support them. Results from this part will be used to develop the questionnaire for the quantitative phase, with the help of a community board. Secondly, based on participatory epidemiological research, the quantitative phase will use an intersectional perspective to measure the impact of individual and structural factors on the quality of life and well-being of transgender and gender-diverse young people. Finally, a co-creation phase will be undertaken to formulate recommendations based on the results of the first two phases. DISCUSSION: This research aims at better understanding the influence of gender identity on the quality of life and health of TGD young people and their families and to identify protective and risk factors that affect their vulnerabilities. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Erasme Faculty Hospital (CCB B4062023000140). As this research is participatory and part of a PhD dissertation, we aim to disseminate the results through our partners' networks and structures locally, and internationally through conferences and peer-reviewed journals.

Factor analyses of multidimensional symptoms in a large group of patients with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing discussion about which neurobiological correlates or symptoms separate the major psychoses (i.e. Major Depressive Disorder MDD, Bipolar Disorder BD, and Schizophrenia SZ). Psychopathological factor analyses within one of these disorders have resulted in models including one to five factors. Factor analyses across the major psychoses using a comprehensive set of psychopathological scales in the same patients are lacking. It is further unclear, whether hierarchical or unitarian models better summarize phenomena. METHOD: Patients (n = 1182) who met DSM-IV criteria for MDD, BD, SZ or schizoaffective disorder were assessed with the SANS, SAPS, HAMA, HAM-D, and YMRS. The sample was split into two and analyzed using explorative and confirmatory factor analyses to extract psychopathological factors independent of diagnosis. RESULTS: In the exploratory analysis of sample 1 (n = 593) we found 5 factors. The confirmatory analysis using sample 2 (n = 589) confirmed the 5-factor model (χ2 = 1287.842, df = 571, p < .0001: CFI = 0.932; RMSEA = 0.033). The 5-factors were depression, negative syndrome, positive formal thought disorder, paranoid-hallucinatory syndrome, and increased appetite. Increased appetite was not related to medication. None of the factors was specific for one diagnosis. Second order factor analysis revealed two higher order factors: negative/affective (I) and positive symptoms (II). CONCLUSION: This is the first study delineating psychopathological factors in a large group of patients across the spectrum of affective and psychotic disorders. In future neurobiological studies, we should consider transdiagnostic syndromes besides the traditional diagnoses.

[Patients with variations of sex development : an example of interdisciplinary care]. / Patients avec variation du développement sexuel : un exemple de prise en charge interdisciplinaire.

The medical, psychological and social aspects of disorders of sex development (DSD) represent a challenge for the management of these patients. However, advances in our understanding of the etiology and genetics of this condition, novel surgical approaches and the growing influence of patient groups as well as wider recognition of ethical issues have helped improve the care of patients with a DSD. Importantly, a multidisciplinary approach involving specialists is crucial for understanding and treating such rare and complex cases. According to the recommendations of the Swiss National Ethical Commission, we shall use the term « Variation of Sex Development ¼ rather than « Disorder of Sex Development ¼ in this publication. This article addresses the care of DSD patients throughout development from the point of view of specialists in complementary fields.

La prise en charge des personnes avec une variation du développement sexuel (VDS) (disorder of sex development, DSD) est un défi tant sur le plan médical, psychologique que social. L'amélioration des connaissances étiologiques et génétiques, les nouvelles approches chirurgicales et l'influence tant des groupes de patients que de la Commission d'éthique suisse ont considérablement modifié la vision de la prise en charge de ces personnes durant ces dernières décennies. Une approche pluridisciplinaire et spécialisée est cruciale pour appréhender ces situations rares et souvent complexes. Le point de vue des différents spécialistes impliqués au long de la vie dans la prise en charge d'une VDS est abordé dans cet article.

Classifying Intersex in DSM-5: Critical Reflections on Gender Dysphoria.

The new diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria (GD) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) defines intersex, renamed "Disorders of Sex Development" (DSD), as a specifier of GD. With this formulation, the status of intersex departs from prior editions, especially from the DSM-IV texts that defined intersex as an exclusion criterion for Gender Identity Disorder. Conversely, GD--with or without a DSD--can apply in the same manner to DSD and non-DSD individuals; it subsumes the physical condition under the mental "disorder." This conceptualization, I suggest, is unprecedented in the history of the DSM. In my view, it is the most significant change in the revised diagnosis, and it raises the question of the suitability of psychiatric diagnosis for individuals with intersex/DSD. Unfortunately, this fundamental question was not raised during the revision process. This article examines, historically and conceptually, the different terms provided for intersex/DSD in the DSM in order to capture the significance of the DSD specifier, and the reasons why the risk of stigma and misdiagnosis, I argue, is increased in DSM-5 compared to DSM-IV. The DSM-5 formulation is paradoxically at variance with the clinical literature, with intersex/DSD and transgender being conceived as incommensurable terms in their diagnostic and treatment aspects. In this light, the removal of intersex/DSD from the DSM would seem a better way to achieve the purpose behind the revised diagnosis, which was to reduce stigma and the risk of misdiagnosis, and to provide the persons concerned with healthcare that caters to their specific needs.

Am I my brain or my genitals? A nature-culture controversy in the hermaphrodite debate from the mid-1960s to the late 1990s.

The groundbreaking and prophetic rhetoric of neuroscience has recently highlighted the fetal brain as the most promising organ for understanding why transsexuals feel "trapped in the wrong body", and for predicting whether children born with "ambiguous" genitalia will grow up to feel like a man or a woman.This article proposes a recent history of the cerebralization of intersexuality and of transsexuality as atypical neurodevelopmental conditions. It examines the ways in which the organizational theory of brain sex differentiation developed in the late 1950s in behavioral neuroendocrinology has gained increased prominence in and through controversies over best practice issues in the case management of intersex newborns, and the etiology of transsexuality.It focuses on the American context and on the leading warrior in this battle: Milton Diamond, now a most prominent figure in professional debates about the clinical management of intersexuality, and the intersex person's best friend. Persons with an intersexed or transsexual condition consider, not their gonads, but their brains, their core sense of self, as the primary determinant of sex. (Diamond and Beh 2005, 6-7, note 1)

Efficacy of a manualized and workbook-driven individual treatment for social anxiety disorder.

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent and impairing disorder for which viable cognitive-behavioral therapies exist. However, these treatments have not been easily packaged for dissemination and may be underutilized as a result. The current study reports on the findings of a randomized controlled trial of a manualized and workbook-driven individual cognitive-behavioral treatment for social anxiety disorder (Hope, Heimberg, Juster, & Turk, 2000; Hope, Heimberg, & Turk, 2006). This treatment package was derived from an empirically supported group treatment for social anxiety disorder and intended for broad dissemination, but it has not previously been subjected to empirical examination on its own. As a first step in that examination, 38 clients seeking treatment for social anxiety disorder at either the Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple University or the Anxiety Disorders Clinic of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln were randomly assigned to receive either immediate treatment with this cognitive-behavioral treatment package or treatment delayed for 20 weeks. Evaluation at the posttreatment/postdelay period revealed substantially greater improvements among immediate treatment clients on interviewer-rated and self-report measures of social anxiety and impairment. Three-month follow-up assessment revealed maintenance of gains. Clinical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in patients with dementia: two case studies.

Anxiety is common in dementia and is associated with decreased independence and increased risk of nursing home placement. However, little is known about the treatment of anxiety in dementia. This article reports results from two patients who were treated with a modified version of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety in dementia (CBT-AD). Modifications were made in the content, structure, and learning strategies of CBT to adapt skills to the cognitive limitations of these patients and include collaterals (i.e., family members, friends, or other caregivers) in the treatment process. The patients received education and awareness training and were taught the skills of diaphragmatic breathing, coping self-statements, exposure, and behavioral activation. The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale was used to characterize dementia severity and determine eligibility for treatment (a CDR score of 0.5 to 2.0 was required for participation). Other measures included the Rating Anxiety in Dementia scale, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Anxiety subscale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Outcome data showed improvement in anxiety as measured by standardized rating scales. We conclude that CBT-AD is potentially useful in treating anxiety in dementia patients and that this technique merits further study.

Use of cognitive behavioral therapy in late-life psychiatric disorders.

With prevalence rates approaching 10% for anxiety disorders and 6% for major depression, anxiety and depression have a significant impact on adults in later life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychosocial intervention for anxiety and depression that can serve as a useful alternative or adjunct to pharmacologic intervention for older adults.