Psychiatric Morbidity among Transgender Population: A Study in a Rural Area of Bengaluru

JOURNAL TITLE: Indian Journal of Private Psychiatry

Author
1. Kasthuri Pandiyan
2. Ume Hani
ISSN
2319-5363
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10067-0108
Volume
16
Issue
1
Publishing Year
2022
Pages
4
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Psychiatry, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
    1. Department of Psychiatry, MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Article keywords
    Gender dysphoria, Psychiatric morbidity, Transgender

    Abstract

    Aim and objective: To study the psychiatric morbidity among transgender population. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was done using convenience sampling. Sixty consenting transgenders, fulfilling criteria for gender dysphoria based on DSM-5 criteria, were included. The study was done for a period of 18 months. Tools used: For assessing the sociodemographic profile, semi-structured pro forma was used, and for assessing psychiatric morbidities, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-plus scale was used. Results: Among 60 participants, 36 (76.6%) had psychiatric morbidity, of which 16 (26.7%) had substance-use disorder, 10 (16.7%) among them had alcohol dependence, and 6 (10%) had nonalcoholic substance-use disorders, such as cannabis, benzodiazepines, and cocaine. Ten (16.7%) participants qualified for the diagnosis of depressive disorder among which six (10%) had mild depression and four (6.7%) had moderate depression. Dysthymia was present in four (6.6%) individuals. Eleven (18.3%) participants had adjustment disorder. Three (5%) of them had anxiety disorder and two (3.3%) had insomnia. Conclusion: Substance use and depression were found to be the most common psychiatric disorders among this population followed by adjustment disorders. As this population is at higher risk of developing other psychiatric problems, regular screening and timely intervention are needed to prevent or treat their psychiatric comorbidities. Clinical significance: The study highlights that there are various psychiatric morbidities prevalent among transgender population, mainly due to the various life adversities they face, which points toward encouraging and creating awareness toward the need for reducing discrimination and accepting the transgender persons in the families, friends, and the community groups which will help them in mainstreaming, achieve welfare, and reduce their psychosocial problems. The findings of this study may help to inform the development of appropriately targeted and tailored mental health interventions and resilience-building programs for transgender population.

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