The care of transgender people

Transgender people are becoming more visible in society and so more common in the day-to-day work of psychiatrists. While transgender (trans) people are no more likely to have major mental health problems than non-trans people (also commonly referred to as 'cisgender' people), trans people are nonetheless still subject to the range of mental health issues cisgender people may face.

Such mental health issues may be exacerbated by discrimination and associated minority stress. Discrimination and minority stress can, of course, precipitate conditions such as depression and anxiety.

This module aims to equip psychiatrists with some basic information about trans people to aid them in practising in a sensitive manner with this sometimes marginalised group. It will also signpost when to refer on to specialist gender clinics, and detail a little of the work of psychiatrists and the multidisciplinary team within such clinics.