Mental Health Status and Age of the Patients When Having Their First Clinic Assessments for Gender Dysphoria

Mental Health Status and Age of the Patients When Having Their First Clinic Assessments for Gender Dysphoria

Objective: Gender dysphoria (GD) is associated with remarkable mental health challenges, yet access to gender-affirming medical care (GAMC) remains limited in many societies. In this study, we intended to examine the mental health status and anxiety levels of patients with GD in Taiwan and to analyze the impact of delayed psychiatric presentation. Methods: We did a retrospective review of medical records on 139 patients diagnosed with GD at a university-affiliated hospital. Results: We found that 36.0% of those 139 patients showed poor mental health, whereas 25.9% of them experienced significant anxiety symptoms. The mean age of first psychiatric presentation was 25.3 years, meaning that most patients with GD missed the chance for early intervention. Conclusion: These results highlight the urgent need for improved access to GAMC and mental health support. Addressing societal stigma and healthcare barriers could enhance the well-being of patients with GD. Further research should explore long-term outcomes and the effectiveness of culturally tailored interventions.