Nine News
Michelle Henderson, AAP National Medical Writer
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8470562The number of patients referred to the gender identity disorder (GID) clinic at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has steadily increased over the past decade, a review of the first eight years of its operation has found.
Thirty-nine patients were assessed by the clinic between 2003 and 2011, while a further 12 have since been referred, said Royal Children's Hospital psychiatrist Campbell Paul.
Of the 39, 21 were either approaching or had reached puberty and reported feeling anxious and depressed. Some had contemplated suicide.
Dr Paul said the depression was observed before treatment started.
"In a way it's not too surprising ... they have lived their lives up until this point in a body which feels to them to be the wrong one," Dr Paul told AAP.
He said they often felt revolted or distressed by their anatomy.
