Feeling that your gender identity does not match the sex you were assigned at birth can be confusing, lonely and painful. This distress is called gender dysphoria. It is a real experience, and it can be understood and supported.

At Global Wellness, we offer a safe, private and non-judgmental space for anyone who is questioning their gender, for people who live with dysphoria, and for families who want to understand and help.

You are not alone, and you are not broken.

What Is Gender Dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is the significant distress that can arise when a person’s inner sense of gender (man, woman, both, neither or something else) does not match their body or the sex they were assigned at birth.

Being transgender or gender diverse is not a mental illness. The diagnosis refers only to the distress, not to the identity. Many transgender and non-binary people experience little or no dysphoria, and their identities are just as valid.

Common Signs and Experiences

Everyone’s experience is different. Some people notice these feelings in childhood, others in the teen years or adulthood.

• Discomfort with one’s body, especially with puberty-related changes
• A strong wish to be seen and treated as a different gender
• Distress about the name, pronouns or gender roles linked to one’s assigned sex
• Anxiety, low mood, sleep problems or withdrawal connected to these feelings
• Feeling out of place in gendered spaces such as school, work or social settings

Gender Dysphoria and Mental Health

Transgender and gender-diverse people face higher rates of depression, anxiety, stress and sleep problems. This is not because of their identity. It is largely the result of stigma, rejection, bullying and lack of support. These conditions are very treatable, and acceptance from family and friends makes a big difference to recovery.

How We Can Help

We believe mental health problems respond very well to counselling, medication where needed, and lifestyle changes. Care is always personalised, confidential and guided by your own goals.

• Psychiatric consultation: Careful listening and assessment by an experienced psychiatrist
• Counselling and therapy: CBT, DBT and REBT with our team of psychologists, to build coping skills and emotional resilience
• Treatment of related conditions: Support for depression, anxiety, stress, OCD and sleep problems
• Family guidance: Helping parents and loved ones understand, communicate and support
• Referral support: Guidance towards trusted endocrinologists, surgeons or legal resources if you choose medical or legal steps

For Children and Teenagers

Puberty can make dysphoria stronger. Young people do best when they are listened to without pressure in any direction, supported by their family, and cared for by professionals who take their feelings seriously. We work with parents and teens together, at a pace that feels safe.

For Parents and Family

If someone you love has shared this with you, it likely took a lot of courage. You can help by:

• Listening without judgment
• Using the name and pronouns they ask for
• Keeping their privacy and never sharing their identity without consent
• Learning about gender diversity instead of relying only on them to explain
• Seeking support for yourself too, because it’s normal to have questions

Myths and Facts

Myth: It’s just a phase or a trend.
Fact: For many people it is a lasting, deeply felt experience. People simply speak about it more openly now.

Myth: Being transgender is a mental illness.
Fact: The World Health Organization no longer classifies it as a mental disorder.

Myth: Everyone who is transgender has dysphoria.
Fact: Not everyone does, and that does not make their identity any less real.

Myth: Support makes someone “become” transgender.
Fact: Support does not change identity. It reduces distress and improves wellbeing.

Is It an Emergency?

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please tell someone you trust and contact your nearest hospital or emergency services right away. You do not have to go through this alone.

Take the First Step

Talking to someone is often the hardest and most important step. Whether you are exploring, struggling or supporting someone you love, you will be heard with respect.

Book a confidential consultation
Dr Priyanka Kalra, Psychiatrist
Global Wellness, 127, I-Block, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana