Psychiatric morbidity in a selective sample of transgenders in Imphal, Manipur: A descriptive study

Abstract

Aim: Psychiatric morbidities seem to be one of the biggest hurdles in the stigmatized people of transgender. Lack of knowledge and ignorance with ever-growing abuse over this population make them vulnerable for mental instability. This study is an attempt to identify and access the psychiatric morbidities of gender dysphoric people of Imphal, Manipur. Materials and Methods: Using DSM-5 all qualified, consenting gender dysphoric people were assessed for psychiatric morbidities using Mini-International Neuropsychiatry Interview-Plus scale at Imphal, Manipur, and the results were compared using Chi-square test. Results: Substance use disorders were found in the majority of them. Twenty (62.5%) of them had current alcohol abuse, and 10 (31.2%) of them were dependent of alcohol. Fifteen (46.8%) of them were abusing other nonalcoholic psychotropic drugs. Twelve (37.5%) were suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) followed by 10 (31.2%) with current depressive disorder. Past suicidal attempts were found among 10 (31.2%) of them with 14 (41.2%) out of them for having current suicidal risk. Six (18.7%) of them were having dysthymia, 2 (6.2%) had panic disorder, 3 (9.4%) had agoraphobia and posttraumatic stress disorder, respectively, 8 (25%) suffered from social phobia, and 1 (3.2%) from specific phobia for spiders. Conclusions: This study found high prevalence of comorbid psychiatric disorders of which alcohol use disorder was the prominent one. Other psychiatric disorders such as GAD, depression, and suicidal risk were also found to be higher among these people. As this population is at higher risk of developing other psychiatric problems, regular screening and timely intervention is needed to prevent or treat psychiatric comorbidities.

Keywords

• Depression
• DSM-5
• gender dysphoria
• generalized anxiety disorder
• substance use disorder
• suicidal risk