@APAPsychiatric It’s true that some kids experience distress or confusion over biological sex. But studies show that those feelings are likely to resolve on their own during puberty, without any interference. No diagnosis or medicalization needed. #mentalhealth (2/9)
Children are impressionable. It should be no surprise that when every trusted adult in a child’s life tells her she’s a boy, she becomes less likely to stop believing she’s a boy. Steensma et al’s findings are just common sense. archive.is/8gu6H#LeaveThoseKidsAlone (5/9)
For those crying #conversiontherapy: It’s homophobic to suggest that using talk therapy to resolve distress = conversion therapy. Gay people have been tortured with electrodes, hormones & rape. Comparing talk therapy to THAT is dismissive & dehumanizing. (6/9)
Most cases of distress over #biosex resolve on their own.
There is NO evidence that talk #therapy is ineffective. Evidence DOES show “gender-affirming care” locks in distress.
So why do 300+ US clinics “affirm” kids with drugs?
@SEGMtweets Some US clinics prescribe hormones #HRT to children as young as 8, causing irreversible changes and putting children at risk for serious side effects. #healthcare
@SEGMtweets No treatment is necessary for most kids who feel distressed over biological sex. For the rest, shouldn’t we try talk therapy before jumping straight to lifelong medicalization? #LeaveThoseKidsAlone (9/9)
What is the "affirmative model?" #healthcare#therapy#mentalhealthmatters
Let's unpack the difference between the “watchful waiting method” and the “affirmative model,” & how the “affirmative model” locks kids into confusion, distress & medicalization for life. (1/10)
“Watchful waiting” means that parents, therapists, and teachers neither affirm nor deny a child’s desire to be the opposite sex. When a girl says she wants to be a boy, the adults in the room wait to see if she’ll grow out of it on her own. #mentalhealthawareness (2/10)
“Affirmation” means that a girl who wants to be a boy is told she IS a boy. Her parents have her birth certificate changed. Her teachers call her by a boy’s name. Her peers are ordered to play along. She’s given drugs to prevent normal maturation, and told she NEEDS them. (3/10)