Answer

Gender Dysphoria

Gender dysphoria is an individual’s state of unease due to the difference of his gender identity with his biological sex or the physical characteristics associated with his sex. Therefore, people experiencing gender dysphoria tend to be comfortable when assuming gender roles of their preferred gender identity (Turban, 2020). This case study evaluates the case of Fatima Durrani, who is suffering from gender dysphoria exacerbated by the fact that she is married.

According to Turban (2020), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) describes gender dysphoria in adolescents and adults as incompatibility in one’s expressed gender and the gender attached to them. However, according to DSM-5, an individual can only be diagnosed with this condition if it lasts for at least 6 months while exhibiting specific characteristics. These characteristics include; a solid desire to be of the other preferable gender, adopting primary sex characteristics of the other gender, and inefficiency in other aspects of social life. Therefore, according to this case study, Fatima meets the DSM-5 criteria for having gender dysphoria. She explains how she ever wanted to be a boy since 7^th grade, how she would fall in love with other girls, indulge in sexual activities like touching their breasts, and his failure to adjust to his new role as a wife, thereby leading to a lack of sexual arousal.

Resources in Tampa, Florida that will be of great use to Fatima and his family include; Mental health services provided at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, primary care providers such as the Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay, and endocrinology centers such as the USF Health Diabetes and Endocrinology Center.

To curb traditional gender roles and stereotypes faced by Fatima, I would recommend behavior modification therapy and support groups. Behavior modification therapy involves changing an individuals’ undesirable behavior to achieve a quality of life (Dewitt, 2020). Behavior modification therapy will prove a great help in suppressing the other gender sex characteristics, which are viewed as ‘negative’ by Fatima’s family, who are described as being embarrassed, thus seeking her medication in secrecy. On the other hand, social groups will be beneficial to Fatima by helping her interact with other adults experiencing gender dysphoria, thus getting to learn more about trans-related topics and on the local resources available for transgender individuals (Lawlis, Butler & Middleman, 2020).

As a way of showing Fatima the hardships associated with going against the norm, the challenges experienced by the transgender in an ever-judging society, and how to embrace one’s true gender identity, I will recommend her the ‘Danish Girl’ movie. The Danish Girl is majorly based on the theme of transgender and sexism. The transgender theme is portrayed by a character known as Einar Wegener, who was the 1^st person in history to undergo sexual reassignment surgery, thus transforming himself into Lili Elbe. In the movie, Einar Wegener embraces his feminine side when she is first asked to pose as a model in one of Gerda’s paintings, which later brings out his feminine identity that had been suppressed. Sexism is also portrayed when Einar’s wife Gerda is asked why she cannot be a good painter as her husband despite being a gifted artist (Ustoyev, 2016). Thus, these sexist comments on Gerda bring out the society’s view of women, which is only a supportive wife. This aspect of sexism will be well relatable to Fatima, who is regarded as nothing but a wife with his father-in-law who constantly says that she reminds him of his dead wife.

Having spent the most time in Egypt, I am familiar with Fatima’s Muslim culture. Therefore, to be culture-sensitive, I will create an inclusive environment whereby I will avoid microaggressions, assumptions, asking questions unrelated to the services I am providing just because of curiosity, getting to know the kind of topics my clients will be comfortable with alongside their preferable terminologies, issuing treatment that is within given acceptable cultural values, and also the inclusion of the clients’ relatives in decision making, for instance, incorporating Fatima’s parents in policy implementation.

In summary, gender dysphoria affects Fatima Durrani, which is even worse because she is married. Fatima meets the DSM-5 criteria of being diagnosed with gender dysphoria through exhibiting characteristics such as; a solid desire to be of the other preferable gender, adopting primary sex characteristics of the other gender, and inefficiency in other aspects of social life. Resources available in Tampa, Florida for Fatima’s exploitation include; Mental health services provided at the Neuropsychiatric Institute, primary care providers such as the Diversity Health Center of Tampa Bay, and endocrinology centers as the USF Health Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. In terms of referrals, I would recommend behavior modification therapy and support groups. In recommending a transgender movie, I commended the Danish Girl, which is based on transgender and sexism. To be culturally sensitive, I need to create an all-inclusive environment that respects diversity.