Former Patient Sues Doctors Over Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis And Transition Care
One lawsuit is challenging how we approach gender dysphoria and mental health care.
A new lawsuit has sparked important conversations about diagnosing and treating gender dysphoria. Last week, Kaya Clementine Breen, a college student from Los Angeles, filed a lawsuit against several doctors and healthcare providers in California.
She claims they misdiagnosed her with gender dysphoria and rushed her into treatments, including puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and a double mastectomy, all before she turned 15.
Kaya’s journey began at the age of 11 when she felt anxious about her body changing during puberty and wondered if life would be easier as a boy. She talked to her school counselor, who suggested she might be transgender, and told her parents.
Shortly after, doctors diagnosed her with gender dysphoria, a condition where someone feels uncomfortable because their gender identity does not match their sex at birth.
By age 12, Kaya was receiving puberty blockers. At 14, she had surgery to remove her breasts. Now 20, she believes these treatments didn’t address her deeper mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Kaya says she wishes her doctors had suggested more general therapy to help her understand her feelings before starting gender-specific treatments. Her lawsuit raises questions about how medical professionals handle such sensitive cases.
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Understanding Gender Dysphoria
Gender dysphoria is defined by the Mayo Clinic as the distress experienced by individuals whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or physical characteristics. Symptoms often include intense discomfort, depression, or anxiety related to one’s body or societal expectations.
Gender-affirming care, which may include hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or surgeries, aims to alleviate this distress.
However, diagnosing gender dysphoria is complex and requires a thorough understanding of each individual’s mental health. Critics of fast-tracked treatments argue that addressing underlying issues like anxiety, trauma, or depression must take precedence to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
Handout/NBC News
Kaya’s Lawsuit and Medical Negligence Claims
Breen’s lawsuit alleges that her medical team focused narrowly on gender dysphoria without adequately exploring other contributing factors. From ages 12 to 19, Breen underwent a range of treatments, starting with puberty blockers and later cross-sex hormones.
At 14, she underwent a double mastectomy, which she claims exacerbated her mental health struggles.
Breen shared with NBC News that her care lacked holistic therapy addressing her overall mental health. She only began dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) earlier this year, which prompted her to reconsider the reasons behind her transition.
Breen says she wishes her providers had offered broader mental health support rather than focusing solely on gender-specific treatments.
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The Importance of Holistic Mental Health Care
Breen’s case has sparked debate about how healthcare systems handle gender dysphoria in minors. Experts emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive mental health evaluations before initiating life-altering treatments.
Properly distinguishing between gender dysphoria and other mental health challenges is critical for creating individualized care plans that prioritize patient well-being.
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Share Your Perspective
Kaya Clementine Breen’s story highlights the complexities of mental health care and gender dysphoria diagnoses. How should medical professionals balance the urgency of affirming care with the need for comprehensive mental health evaluations?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation to raise awareness about these sensitive and vital issues.
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