Disforia di Genere e Disagio Mentale

The goal of this Thesis is to promote greater awareness and understanding regarding the needs of transgender patients by illustrating the possible improvements for mental health services. The need to provide guidance as regards the management of transgender patients stems from the stigma acted out in healthcare settings toward this type of user on behalf of health care professionals with little knowledge of the subject. The first chapter analyzes the sexualization of the human brain and how this occurs at a different time compared with genital sexualization, pointing to the possibility that these processes occur independently of each other. The second chapter analyzes how gender dysphoria is treated within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders fifth version, focusing on psychiatric comorbidities. The third chapter delves into the meaning of stigma and what types are acted upon against transgender people. This is followed by an illustration of a study which was conducted in Tuscany and whose function was and is to highlight the presence of discrimination against the transgender population in Italy. Finally, standards of care to be applied in health facilities and those specific to psychiatric facilities are listed. The last chapter is dedicated to the professional figure of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Technician, who can be a useful figure during the gender affirmation process and can provide useful advice to prevent discrimination within mental health facilities. In conclusion, from the considerations made herein, it can be seen that a constantly updated education for healthcare professionals is a key aspect of caring for transgender patients.