Most Common Mis Diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria in Adults.
Dr. Z explains common diagnoses that mask gender dysphoria—and why they're really byproducts that go away when you treat dysphoria.
There's a cluster of diagnoses that on the surface look like you're struggling with them, but in reality they're covering up gender dysphoria. You start thinking "maybe I don't have gender dysphoria but maybe I have this" and focus on that diagnosis—but it's actually masking dysphoria underneath. Dr. Z sees this very commonly: when people start dealing with dysphoria, these symptoms alleviate and decrease, and the diagnosis goes away.
Classic example: Depression often stems from living with gender dysphoria. On the surface it looks like you're dealing with depression primarily, but in reality it's a symptom arising from dysphoria masking that dysphoria needs to be dealt with. Depression is just a byproduct. (Note: these can also exist alongside dysphoria as standalone diagnoses.)
Most common diagnoses masking dysphoria: (1) ADHD/ADD—dysphoria occupies such a big portion of your mind you have hard time focusing, retaining attention, concentrating, staying diligent. On surface looks like ADHD but underneath is dysphoria causing all symptoms. (2) Social anxiety—anxiety around people, fears others are judging you. Makes perfect sense—dysphoria causes social anxiety. When you deal with dysphoria, social anxiety goes away because you feel confident, comfortable, good in your body. (3) Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)—way of attacking external shell you don't feel congruent with, attempt to be invisible/disappear, attempt to swallow problems. (4) Addictions (alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping, eating)—any addictive patterns masking dysphoria. Dr. Z focuses on dysphoria first, not rehab—root problem is dysphoria causing addiction. (5) Self-harming behavior.
Watch to find out why more severe diagnoses (schizophrenia, bipolar, autism, borderline personality disorder) don't mask dysphoria but can occur alongside it as standalone diagnoses, and why you should always address the root problem (dysphoria) not the top.
