Is science lagging behind society? : Why psychiatrists must play the devil’s advocate

Abstract

“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.”- Ralph Ellison An ever-increasing flux of transgender persons interacting with mental health care providers in the last decade warrants close scrutiny of the available evidence for gender-affirming medical interventions. This issue becomes significantly more pertinent when it comes to pre-pubertal children raising questions about gender identity and seeking guidance and help. The wide regional variation in laws concerning this highlights the undeniable sociocultural impact on this purportedly biological phenomenon. In recent years, terms like ‘rapid onset gender dysphoria’ and ‘de-transitioning’ shine a light on the other side of the coin. Doctors, especially psychiatrists, must take the narrative with a pinch of salt and regard the available evidence through the lens of healthy scientific skepticism.