Differentiating Gender Dysphoria and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Note: Webinar time is listed in AWST

AEST: 1:00pm-3:00pm

ACST: 12:30pm-2:30pm

Can't make it to the webinar? All registered attendees will have access to a recording for 30 days after the live session.

This workshop provides an evidence-based, clinically grounded introduction to the key differences between gender dysphoria and body dysmorphic disorder. Drawing on peer-reviewed research from psychology, psychiatry, neuroscience, medicine, dermatology, and plastic surgery, this workshop supports participants to make more accurate formulations, avoid harmful misclassification, and provide safer, more affirming care for people experiencing body distress.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe the core features of body dysmorphic disorder and gender dysphoria

• Explain why gender dysphoria and body dysmorphic disorder are not interchangeable, even when both involve significant body distress

• Distinguish gender dysphoria from body dysmorphic disorder across body image, body schema, emotional experience, focus of concern, temporal focus, insight, and response to medical intervention

• Explain how body schema, embodiment, and related concepts such as interoception, exteroception, proprioception, and phantom sensations can inform understanding of gender dysphoria

• Recognise the risks of harmful misclassification, including the risks of applying body dysmorphic disorder approaches to gender dysphoria

• Use screening measures more accurately, while recognising that they support but do not replace diagnostic interviews

• Apply broad treatment principles for body dysmorphic disorder, gender dysphoria, and co-occurring presentations in a safer and more affirming way