Recent research indicates a significant increase in the number of children identifying as the wrong gender over the past decade, showing a 50-fold rise.
An analysis of general practitioner (GP) records reveals that there were approximately 10,000 diagnoses of gender dysphoria in England in 2021, compared to fewer than 200 cases in 2011.
The study conducted by the University of York highlights a notable surge in gender dysphoria concerns, particularly among girls, who represent twice the number of cases seen in boys.
Furthermore, the findings, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, reveal that over half of the individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria also experienced anxiety, depression, or instances of self-harm.
This research provides a comprehensive overview of the extent of gender distress across the country, marking a departure from previous studies that relied on smaller samples from specialized services.
Instead, this study utilized a large dataset drawn from GP records.
The findings come in the wake of the Cass review, which cautioned against hastily providing treatment for children who may express a transgender identity, emphasizing the need for careful consideration to avoid potential regret.
The review also recommended prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for individuals under 18.
Researchers used anonymized electronic health records from 2011 to 2021 for general practices in England that contributed to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink database for this study.
A recent study published in the journal *Archives of Disease in Childhood* has highlighted a concerning rise in mental health issues among children, particularly those identifying as transgender.
While the research did not specifically investigate the underlying causes of this increase, the authors suggested several potential explanations.
Among these are various social factors, including the heightened use of social media, which may impact children’s mental well-being.
Additionally, there appears to be a general decline in mental health among children, especially girls, contributing to this troubling trend.
Analysis of general practitioner (GP) records revealed that children experiencing gender dysphoria face significantly higher rates of mental health challenges, including depression and self-harm, compared to their peers.
Alarmingly, more than half of the children with documented cases of gender dysphoria had experienced anxiety, depression, or self-harming behaviors as recorded by their GP.
The study, funded by NHS England, emphasizes that the prevalence of anxiety and depression in young people has been on the rise over the past two decades due to complex and often contested reasons.
These increasing levels pose significant challenges for health, education, and social services, particularly impacting those young individuals grappling with gender dysphoria or incongruence, who are at a heightened risk for mental health struggles.
Within the cohort of children diagnosed with gender dysphoria, the report indicated that approximately 5 percent were prescribed puberty blockers, while 8 percent received masculinizing or feminizing hormones to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity.
It is important to note that last year saw the prohibition of puberty blockers in the UK, primarily due to concerns regarding a lack of conclusive evidence supporting their safety and efficacy.
The sharp rise in the proportion of young people identifying as transgender since 2011 has led to a significant increase in referrals to NHS gender identity services.
Until recently, the only specialized service available in England for individuals under the age of 18 was the controversial Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) operated by the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, which has faced criticism and scrutiny regarding its practices and the implications of its treatment protocols.
