Transgender people face plights that cisgender people will never come across. Fear of using the restroom that matches their gender. Fear of wearing clothes that align with their gender. Fear of correcting the use of a deadname.

Things that seem normal to cisgender people are political, social, and personal statements to trans people.

Despite this higher risk, we have less research, resources, treatment options, and coverage on PTSD in the trans community. 

I am not claiming trans people with PTSD deserve more attention. 

I am claiming that the community deserves more attention than has been provided. 

Many activists are demanding that the gap in attention get addressed swiftly. The current situation is causing many trans people to become alienated from treatment. 

So, despite the textbook presentations, PTSD goes untreated and underreported, further reinforcing stigmas. It is a vicious cycle that we can break with knowledge. 

Speaking of spreading knowledge, I would like to discuss this gap. 

What does it mean? 

Why is it there? 

How do we close it?

What is the Gap?

First, let’s get you up-to-speed with what PTSD is at its core. 

The four markers of PTSD, according to a journal in PMC, are as follows (directly quoted): 

1) Persistent intrusive thoughts. 

2) Avoidance of stimuli associated with the event.

3) Negative cognitions...such as emotional numbing and detachment.

4) Hypervigilance, irritability, exaggerated startle response, or self-destructive reckless behavior.

Here is where separation in the disorder presentation shows itself. The gap refers to the differences in what causes the disorder. It also included how different causes factor into treatment. 

Since the causes are different, PTSD in transgender people must be treated (medically) differently. 

For instance, you would not counsel a cisgender person on how their gender identity is not to blame for their trauma. You may have to address this issue with a transgender person. 

In addition, PTSD can get caused by unconventional reasons in trans people. These reasons are incomparable to those that might affect cisgender people.

According to a journal published in the American Psychiatric Association, “anti-transgender bias and non-affirmation experiences [can be] potentially traumatic themselves.”

To summarize, general societal rejection of transgender people can be traumatic on its face. 

To develop PTSD based on a global transphobic environment is not something anyone who is not trans would likely experience.

It is unique to trans people and their PTSD. 

Such shows that transgender mental health comes with certain circumstances that must get considered. 

To disregard them is to ignore the treatment nuances that the community requires to recover. 

We also ignore something vital: individualized treatment.

Addressing PTSD in the trans community requires individualized treatment with LGBTQ+ informed practitioners and standards.

Interestingly, individualized treatment is commonplace in 2021...for cisgender-heterosexuals.

For anyone else, you would have to do some hard searching for professionals who specialize in your circumstances or identity. 

Why is this the case? Do doctors not care? 

Not necessarily. It is more complex than that.

Let’s open that can of worms real quick. 

Why is it there?

This question deserves a blog site altogether. Therefore, I will summarize. 

For starters, there is a lack of transgender representation in government.

Why?

I recommend Googling American History + Transgender as I do not have the space to dive into that.

A little side Google never hurt anyone. 

Secondly, there is a lack of research to support new and humane treatments. That is due to funding issues, lack of transgender study participants, and too little demand.

To build off the “too little demand” comment, I mean to say there is not enough push. The LGBTQ+ community and allies must band together to make our voices heard. 

We cannot sit on this information. We must act. There are many ways to advocate for transgender health care and human rights.

Find some ideas here. 

Closing the Gap

That leads us to how we can close it:

Solve all that. 

Tall order. But an order to be filled nonetheless.

It is an urgent matter, a rush order if you will. 

Transgender individuals are at high risk for PTSD and suicide (which increases with PTSD).

Lives are on the line. 

We can also help by donating to support organizations, voting NO on anti-LGBTQ+ health care policies, petitioning for inclusive treatment, and volunteering at transgender advocacy centers. Even speaking out and sharing your experiences helps by raising awareness. 

So what are you waiting on? Get involved today.

Resources: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4981566/

https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2021-80260-001

https://transequality.org/health-care-action-center

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3395766/