Professor Az Hakeem on the Complexities of Gender Dysphoria

Few topics in mental health are as complex, charged, and deeply personal as gender dysphoria. For some, transitioning feels life-saving. For others, it leads to regret and the painful realisation that surgery or hormones didn’t solve the deeper struggles underneath.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Az Hakeem - psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and author of Detrans: When Transition is Not the Solution. For over two decades, Az has worked with people questioning their gender, those pursuing transition, and those who later detransitioned. His work has given him unique insight into what lies beneath gender distress from autism and trauma to identity, shame, and societal influence.This is not about ideology or taking sides. It’s about listening to lived experiences, asking difficult questions, and opening up compassionate space for conversations that too often get shut down.Whether you’re a parent, a clinician, or simply someone wanting to better understand this issue, I hope this conversation helps you think more deeply about what it really means to heal.Contact Az: https://www.nightingalehospital.co.uk/specialist/dr-az-hakeem/Buy his book: https://amzn.eu/d/f3pGQ5mStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/hurt-to-healingSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.ukStay Connected with Hurt to Healing:Instagram: instagram.com/hurttohealingpodYouTube: youtube.com/@hurttohealingpodTikTok: tiktok.com/@hurttohealingpodSubstack: substack.com/@hurttohealingWebsite: hurttohealing.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.