Liz Szabo

Restrictions on gender-affirming care proposed by Republicans in Congress and President-elect Donald Trump could be devastating for transgender youths, doctors say, especially for teens with eating disorders. Gender-affirming care — which includes mental health counseling and sometimes puberty-suppressing medication and hormone therapy — is a critical part of care for trans teens with eating disorders, said Jessie Menzel, a psychologist and vice president of development at Equip Health, which provides virtual mental health care for people with eating disorders. Eating disorders are pervasive among young people who identify as trans. Many starve themselves or develop other harmful eating behaviors to make their bodies conform to a masculine or […]