Book an appointmentHomeBlogAbout usDr. TeresitaPressEducation
ThyroidWeight managementMenopausePCOSGender dysphoriaHormonal health
Español

Services

Endocrinology
In-person appointmentVirtual appointment
DiabetesThyroidWeight managementMenopauseOsteoporosisPCOSGender-affirming careHormonal disordersPituitary careGrowth and development

Social media

Educational article

Gender-Related Distress in Adults: How to Recognize an Emotional Crisis and Seek Safe Support

Endomédicos

Endomédicos medical profile

Published 6 min read

Educational content. It does not replace an individual medical assessment and should not be used for self-medication.

Leer este artículo en español
Two adults talk in a living room; one asks for support while the other listens attentively.
Asking someone you trust to stay with you can be a first step when emotional distress increases.

Being transgender is not an illness

Being transgender is not an illness or something that needs to be corrected. Some people experience distress related to a mismatch between the gender they were assigned at birth and their identity; others do not, or experience it in different ways. Distress can change depending on the circumstances, environment, and access to respectful support. By itself, it does not indicate a mental health crisis.

Intense distress and an emergency are not the same thing

It may be helpful to seek professional support soon if distress increases, affects daily life, or becomes difficult to manage, even if the person can remain safe. Seek urgent help if there is immediate danger or the person cannot protect themself. These are general guidelines, not a diagnostic test or a measure of how much someone must suffer to deserve care.

Warning signs that call for urgent help

Take thoughts of self-harm or suicide seriously, as well as feeling unable to stay safe, severe disorganization, or a decline that makes it impossible to meet basic needs. These signs do not occur in all transgender people or in everyone who experiences gender-related distress. If there is immediate danger, do not wait for a routine appointment.

What to do if there is immediate danger

Go to an emergency department or contact local emergency services. In Colombia, 123 may be an option for emergencies; availability and scope may vary by location. If possible, ask someone you trust to accompany the person and stay with them while help arrives. There is no need to explain everything right away: it is enough to say that they do not feel safe and need urgent care.

When to seek professional support soon

If distress is increasing or affecting sleep, relationships, school, work, or other activities, but there is no immediate danger, consider requesting an assessment soon from a mental health professional or clinical team experienced in respectful care for transgender people. There is no need to wait until distress becomes extreme. Care should be based on the person's needs, not on the idea of changing their identity.

How to prepare for a supportive conversation

You can tell someone you trust what has changed and what specific help you need: company, help contacting a service, or someone to stay nearby while care arrives. If it is helpful, describe when the increase in distress began and how it affects your daily life. This information can guide the conversation, but it does not replace a clinical assessment. If safety worsens, seek urgent care.

Assessment and follow-up

A professional can discuss immediate safety, the intensity of the distress, recent changes, and available supports to help determine the type of care. Follow-up is tailored to each person's needs and can be reviewed if the situation changes. This article provides general information and does not determine whether someone is in crisis; if there is immediate risk, the priority is to go to an emergency department or contact local emergency services.

When to seek medical care

If symptoms persist, test results are abnormal, or you have questions about medication, arrange an individual assessment. Do not change treatment or doses without medical guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Does feeling distress related to gender incongruence mean I am in crisis?

Not necessarily. Distress varies from person to person and from one situation to another. Urgency depends on safety and signs such as thoughts of self-harm or suicide, being unable to stay safe, or severe disruption to daily functioning.

Should I wait until I feel worse to ask for help?

No. You can seek professional support soon if distress increases or affects your daily life, even if there is no immediate danger.

What should I do if someone close to me cannot stay safe?

If there is immediate danger, accompany them to an emergency department or contact local emergency services. In Colombia, 123 may be an option, depending on its availability and scope in the area. If possible, stay with the person while help arrives.

Does this topic resonate with you?

Every case is different. Book a consultation to review your history, test results and goals with a personalized plan.

Book an appointmentMeet Dr. Teresita CortésDiscover EndomédicosExplore related care
Explore endocrinology care for Gender dysphoria and hormonal health

More articles about Gender dysphoria and hormonal health