QS — Views on Reacting to Gender Dysphoria and Bulimia Nervosa

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Search: In debates on children with gender dysphoria in schools, what are the reasons educators advocate for lenient accommodations?

Copilot response:

Educators advocate for lenient accommodations for children with gender dysphoria in schools for several key reasons:

Mental Health and Well-being: Supporting gender-affirming environments is crucial for the mental health of transgender and nonbinary students. Studies show that when these students feel supported, they experience lower rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Legal and Ethical Obligations: Schools have a legal and ethical responsibility to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students. This includes respecting students’ gender identities and expressions, as mandated by human rights laws.
Reducing Bullying and Harassment: By implementing accommodations, schools can help reduce instances of bullying and harassment, which transgender and nonbinary students are particularly vulnerable to.
Academic Success: When students feel safe and supported, they are more likely to succeed academically. Accommodations can help ensure that transgender and nonbinary students can focus on their studies without the added stress of discrimination or exclusion.
Promoting Inclusivity: Educators aim to create an inclusive school culture where all students feel valued and respected. This involves recognizing and accommodating the diverse needs of students, including those with gender dysphoria.

These accommodations can include allowing students to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity, updating school records to reflect their chosen name and pronouns, and providing access to gender-neutral facilities.

1 childmind.org [https://onedrive.live.com/?id=93f453a265edc970%210%5EL0xpdmVGb2xkZXJzL19fQXN1cyAyIHByaW50LzFjaGlsZG1pbmQub3JnMnd3dy50ZHNiLm9uLmNhM2Nwcy5jYQ&cid=93F453A265EDC970]
2 www.tdsb.on.ca [https://www.tdsb.on.ca/About-Us/Innovation/Gender-Based-Violence-Prevention/Accommodation-of-Transgender-Students-and-Staff]
3 cps.ca [https://cps.ca/en/documents/position/an-affirming-approach-to-caring-for-transgender-and-gender-diverse-youth]

Search: What explanation is given to the rash onset of bulimia in girls some decades ago?

Copilot response:

The rise in bulimia nervosa among girls in recent decades is attributed to several factors:

Cultural and Media Influences: The portrayal of thinness as the ideal body type in media and fashion industries has significantly influenced societal standards of beauty. The shift from curvier body ideals in the mid-20th century to ultra-thin models in the 1960s and beyond has contributed to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders1.
Increased Awareness and Diagnosis: Greater awareness and understanding of eating disorders among healthcare professionals and the public have led to more diagnoses. This means that more cases are being identified and reported than in the past1.
Societal Pressure: The pressure to conform to societal beauty standards, especially among young girls, has increased over the years. This pressure can lead to unhealthy behaviors, including bulimia, as individuals strive to achieve the “ideal” body.
Psychological Factors: Factors such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a need for control can contribute to the development of bulimia. These psychological traits are often exacerbated by societal and cultural influences.

These factors combined have created an environment where bulimia nervosa has become more prevalent among girls and young women.

1 www.aafp.org [https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2001/0801/p367.html]

During what decades was the incidence of this psychological problem of bulimia nervosa most common?

Copilot response:

The incidence of bulimia nervosa has seen significant fluctuations over the decades. The highest prevalence was observed during the 1980s and 1990s. This period saw a notable increase in the diagnosis and reporting of eating disorders, including bulimia, partly due to greater public awareness and improved diagnostic criteria1.

1 www.cambridge.org [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-psychiatric-sciences/article/trends-in-the-prevalence-and-disabilityadjusted-life-years-of-eating-disorders-from-1990-to-2017-results-from-the-global-burden-of-disease-study-2017/E796E4299A618321EF4708C956E14E49]

Compared to the height of this diagnosis in the 1980s and 1990s, to what extent has the incidence declined recently?

The incidence of bulimia nervosa has indeed declined since its peak in the 1980s and 1990s. Recent studies indicate that the lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is now estimated to be around 0.3% of the population, with women being five times more likely to be affected than men. This is a significant decrease compared to the higher rates observed in the past.

1 psycnet.apa.org [https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-55917-002]
2 bocarecoverycenter.com [https://bocarecoverycenter.com/treatment/the-state-of-eating-disorders/]

What percentage of the population seemed to be affected by bulimia nervosa at the height of the problem in the 80s and 90s?

During the height of bulimia nervosa in the 1980s and 1990s, the prevalence among females was estimated to be between 1.5% to 2.5% of the population. This means that a significant portion of young women were affected by this eating disorder during that time.

1 www.psychiatrictimes.com [https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/chronic-eating-disorders]

Do psychiatric professions today see any commonality between the bulimia nervosa prevalence some decades ago, with the prevalence of gender dysphoria of recent years?

Yes, psychiatric professionals have noted some commonalities between the prevalence of bulimia nervosa in the past and the current prevalence of gender dysphoria. Both conditions are influenced by societal norms and pressures related to body image and identity2. Here are a few key points:

Body Image Issues: Both bulimia nervosa and gender dysphoria are often linked to body dissatisfaction. Individuals with gender dysphoria may experience distress related to their body not aligning with their gender identity, which can lead to disordered eating behaviors as a way to control their appearance2.
Societal and Cultural Influences: The societal emphasis on certain body ideals can contribute to both conditions. For bulimia, the idealization of thinness has been a significant factor, while for gender dysphoria, the pressure to conform to gender norms can play a role.
Psychological Factors: Both conditions are associated with psychological factors such as low self-esteem, perfectionism, and a need for control1. These traits can contribute to the development and maintenance of both eating disorders and gender dysphoria.
Increased Awareness and Diagnosis: Just as the awareness and diagnosis of bulimia increased in the 1980s and 1990s, there has been a growing recognition of gender dysphoria in recent years. This increased awareness can lead to more individuals seeking help and receiving diagnoses.

These commonalities highlight the importance of addressing body image and societal pressures in the treatment and support of individuals with these conditions.

1 segm.org [https://segm.org/gender-dysphoria-anorexia-korte-gille-elective-affinities]
2 www.psychiatrist.com [https://www.psychiatrist.com/news/why-gender-dysphoria-and-eating-disorders-are-often-connected/]
3 withinhealth.com [https://withinhealth.com/learn/articles/bulimia-facts-and-statistics]

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