Diagnosis
5
Evaluation of Youth and Adults
➤ Endocrine Society (ES) advises that only trained mental health
professionals (MHPs) who meet the following criteria should diagnose
GD/GI in adults: (UGPS)
1. Competence in using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM) and/or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related
Health Problems (ICD) for diagnostic purposes
2. The ability to diagnose GD/GI and make a distinction between GD/GI and
conditions that have similar features (e.g., body dysmorphic disorder)
3. Training in diagnosing psychiatric conditions
4. The ability to undertake or refer for appropriate treatment
5. The ability to psychosocially assess the person's understanding, mental health, and
social conditions that can impact gender-affirming hormone therapy, and
6. A practice of regularly attending relevant professional meetings.
➤ ES advises that only MHPs who meet the following criteria should diagnose
GD/GI in children and adolescents: (UGPS)
1. Training in child and adolescent developmental psycholog y and psychopatholog y
2. Competence in using the DSM and/or the ICD for diagnostic purposes
3. The ability to make a distinction between GD/GI and conditions that have
similar features (e.g., body dysmorphic disorder)
4. Training in diagnosing psychiatric conditions
5. The ability to undertake or refer for appropriate treatment
6. The ability to psychosocially assess the person's understanding and social
conditions that can impact gender-affirming hormone therapy
7. A practice of regularly attending relevant professional meetings, and
8. Knowledge of the criteria for puberty-blocking and gender-affirming hormone
treatment in adolescents.
➤ ES advises that decisions regarding the social transition of prepubertal
youths with GD/GI are made with the assistance of an MHP or another
experienced professional. (UGPS)
➤ ES recommends against puberty-blocking and gender-affirming hormone
treatment in prepubertal children with GD/GI. (1|⊕⊕
)
➤ ES recommends that clinicians inform and counsel all individuals seeking
gender-affirming medical treatment regarding options for fertility
preservation prior to initiating puberty suppression in adolescents and
prior to treating with hormonal therapy of the affirmed gender in both
adolescents and adults (1|⊕⊕⊕
)
