Transsexualism and mental health

Abstract

The main objective of this study has been to evaluate the mental health of transsexual persons as well as the frequency of aggressions suffered by those due to the stigmatization of the phenomenon in our society. The study sample consisted of 26 subjects, 13 men and 13 women, selected by means of serial sampling among those that applied for initiation of sexual reassignment. All complied with the diagnostic criteria established by the manuals (DSM-IV-TR and CIE-10), as well as the evaluation norms recommended by the International Association “Harry Benjamin” regarding Gender Identity Disorders. The results reveal a low frequency of associate mental pathology and normal personality profiles, but high levels of stress as a consequence of both the decision-making process and the wait-ing time for treatment to begin, and the search of resources when finding one excluded from the hor-monal and surgical treatments from public sanitary benefits.