Social stigma puts transgender and non-binary people at higher risk for anxiety and mood-related disorders. Stigmatization also creates a high risk for transgender and nonbinary people to have little or no access to appropriate treatment plans.
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mental health clinician published a review of antidepressant prescribing for transgender and nonbinary adults. This study focused on determining whether treatment trends for transgender patients correlate with treatment trends for cisgender patients.
Antidepressant treatment between gender identities was similar. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were the main drug class prescribed to each gender identity group. Although researchers found no observable differences in the number of effective prescriptions between gender identities, they determined that disparities in care still exist.
Researchers found that 38% of transgender patients suffering from anxiety and mood disorders were not treated with antidepressants. This lack of treatment exposes gaps in patient care.
One major difference was an increased rate of bupropion prescriptions for transgender women. In the discussion, the authors note that “increased anxiety has been reported as a side effect of bupropion. [generalized anxiety disorder] Diagnoses found in transgender women may explain the high rates of bupropion prescription in our patient population. ”
The increase in bupropion prescribing may be coincidental in this study as there is no competing group. These overall findings are limited by the relative lack of research on the issue of gender identity and mental health prescribing, and the absence of competing groups.
About the author
Samantha Gorski is a 2025 Doctor of Pharmacy candidate at the University of Connecticut.
These findings suggest that prescriber decisions are largely influenced by gender identity when determining treatment, but further research is warranted. In order to improve each patient’s quality of life, it is important to treat patients with equal importance regardless of gender.
reference
Tiefenthaler CM, Lee KC. Prescribing antidepressants for transgender and nonbinary individuals diagnosed with gender dysphoria and mood or anxiety disorders. mental health clinic. 2023;13(6):298-302. Published December 1, 2023. doi:10.9740/mhc.2023.12.298
