Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development: Progress in Care and Knowledge (Focus on Sexuality Research)

 The formation of gender identity is a singularly complex part of an individual's development. When this process is further complicated by conflict between experienced gender and assigned gender or by medical conditions affecting sex development,lifetime consequenses can result. 

Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development offers up-to-date understanding and interventions in one comprehensive volume featuring expert coverage of developmental trajectories, comorbid conditions, current medical and psychological treatments, and an instructive history of professional conceptualizations of gender dysphoria (GD) and disorders of sex development (DSD).

Introductory chapters analyze the roles of sex hormones and genetics in brain organization and introduce an integrative biopsychosocial model of gender development. A framework for age-appropriate treatment for children (including guidelines for working with infants), adolescents, and adults is the book's core. And as sex reassignment continues to prove a viable option for some individuals, the latest endocrine-based and surgical interventions for adults are discussed as well. Throughout, this groundbreaking reference work emphasizes empirical knowledge, compassion, a strong ethical base, and coordinated interdisciplinary care. Among the topics covered: 

• Genetic aspects of gender identity development and gender dysphoria
• Psychosexual development in individuals with disorders of sex development
• Gender identity diagnoses: history and controversies
• Early medical intervention in adolescents with gender dysphoria
• Psychiatric comorbidity in adults with gender identity problems
• The impact of stigma on transgender identity development and mental health 

For researchers and clinicians, including psychologists, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, and surgeons working in the field of GD and DSD, Gender Dysphoria and Disorders of Sex Development provides a unique view of the state of the field and recommendations for future research and care.

Baudewijntje P.C. Kreukels, PhD ia a senior researcher at VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands Department of Medical Psychology, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam Hormones & Brain. Dr. Kreukels is also Editor Neuropraxis, a Dutch journal on Neuroscience and in 2011 guest editor-in-chief special issue neuroendocrinology. Dr. Kreukels is a member of the International Academy of Sex Research, Dutch Society for Neuropsychology, Network LGBT Research, and the Dutch Neurofederation.Thomas D. Steensma, PhD is a clinical psychologist at the VU Medical Center in The Netherlands. He received his master degree in clinical and social psychology from the University of Amsterdam. He is an associate member of the International Academy of Sex Research.

Annelou de Vries, MD, PhD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist working at the VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam. The scope of her work is consultative-liaison psychiatry at the Pediatric department, focusing on sick children with mental health problems. An important and special part of her work is dedicated to gender dysphoric adolescents. At the Amsterdam Gender Identity Clinic (Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria), adolescents with a gender identity disorder may be eligible for the complete reversible medical treatment with GnRH analogues to block puberty from age 12 on to create rest and time to make a balanced decision about the irreversible gender reassignment when adolescents reach adulthood. Apart from her clinical work with these gender dysphoric adolescents, Annelou de Vries is also involved in research and published several studies on mental health of gender dysphoric adolescents and treatment evaluation  of this GnRH analogue treatment.