About Gender Identity Disorder
Gender dysphoria, formerly known as gender identity disorder (GID), is a condition in which individuals feel uncomfortable with their physical sex and assigned gender. It refers to the distress that may accompany the inconsistency between one's experienced or expressed gender and one's assigned gender, causing psychological discomfort for at least six months.
GID described a strong mismatch between the gender a person feels or shows and the gender they were assigned at birth. This mismatch caused emotional discomfort that lasted at least six months. It was seen as something that could vary in how severe it was, with the most extreme cases involving a desire to change one’s physical appearance or social role to better match their true gender identity.
Now, the term Gender Dysphoria is used instead to focus on the distress or challenges someone may experience because their experienced or expressed gender doesn’t match their assigned gender. This shift in terminology helps reduce stigma and better represents the focus on emotional well-being.
The root causes of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) are not fully understood. However, research suggests that it may involve a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Some potential factors that may contribute to GID include:
- Biological factors: Conditions that affect sex hormones, fetal exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals, and faulty development of neurons related to gender may play a role.
- Psychological factors: Having a psychiatric condition such as schizophrenia or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may increase the likelihood of experiencing gender dysphoria.
- Social factors: A history of childhood abuse or neglect, as well as having a close family member with gender dysphoria, have been associated with an increased risk.
Non-modifiable risk factors for gender dysphoria cannot be changed or controlled. These include:
- Family structure: Being raised in a non-traditional family unit may increase the likelihood of developing gender dysphoria. Also, having a family history of GD or other gender-related conditions may increase the risk.
- Socioeconomic status (SES): Lower SES has been associated with a higher risk of gender dysphoria.
Modifiable risk factors, factors that can be influenced or changed, for GID are not well-established due to limited research in this area. However, some factors that could potentially be influenced include:
- Social and cultural influences: Societal expectations, cultural norms, and the level of acceptance or rejection experienced by individuals with gender nonconforming identities may impact the development and expression of GID.
It's important to note that these factors are based on current understanding and research in the field. However, GID is a complex condition, and individual experiences may vary. If you have concerns about GID or related issues, it's recommended to consult with a qualified healthcare professional who can provide personalized guidance and support.
The most common early symptoms of gender dysphoria include:
- A strong desire to be another gender
- Distress resulting from a mismatch between the individual's current gender identity and their gender assigned at birth
- Dislike of one's sexual anatomy
- Preference for wearing clothes of a different gender
- Desire to play another gender in fantasy play or have toys associated with another gender
- Rejection of toys and activities typically associated with their assigned gender
- Strong desire for their sex characteristics to be those of another gender
As gender dysphoria progresses or reaches higher severity, additional symptoms may occur, including:
- Feelings of being trapped in the wrong body or a sense of misalignment with one's assigned sex
- Strong desire to live within another gender role or be treated as another gender, including changing one’s name and gender pronouns
- Desire to change assigned sex characteristics, such as negative feelings about genitalia and other secondary sex characteristics like hair, voice, and body shape
- Various fears, self-mutilation, and suicide attempts
- Physical complaints such as nausea, vomiting, fainting, abdominal pain
- Unhappiness, sleep disturbance, eating disorders
It's important to note that these symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience all of them. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of gender identity disorder, it is recommended to seek professional help for proper evaluation and support.
If you or someone you know are struggling or in crisis with anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org/chat to connect with trained crisis counselors.
To diagnose gender identity disorder (GID), healthcare providers may perform the following examinations, tests, and procedures:
- Diagnostic interviews: Healthcare providers conduct structured interviews to assess the individual's gender identity, explore their experiences, and evaluate their distress or impairment.
- Psychological assessments: Psychological tests and questionnaires may be used to assess the individual's mental health, emotional well-being, and overall functioning.
- Developmental history assessment: Healthcare providers gather information about the individual's gender development throughout childhood and adolescence.
- Physical examination: A physical examination may be conducted to rule out any physical conditions that could contribute to the individual's gender dysphoria.
- Laboratory tests: Blood tests may be performed to assess hormone levels and rule out any underlying medical conditions.
To determine the stage or severity of GID, additional examinations, tests, and procedures may include:
- Gender identity exploration: Healthcare providers engage in discussions with the individual to understand their gender identity journey, including their feelings, thoughts, and desires regarding their gender.
- Mental health assessments: Further psychological evaluations may be conducted to assess the impact of gender dysphoria on the individual's mental health and well-being.
- Social support evaluation: Healthcare providers assess the level of social support available to the individual from family, friends, and other support networks.
- Treatment planning: Based on the assessment findings, healthcare providers collaborate with the individual to develop a personalized treatment plan that may include hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries.
Remember that these examinations, tests, and procedures are typically performed by healthcare professionals experienced in working with individuals with gender dysphoria. It is important to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.
The goals of treatment for gender identity disorder are to alleviate distress and help individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity. Treatment options may include:
- Psychotherapy: This form of talk therapy provides a safe space for individuals to explore their feelings and emotions related to their gender identity. It can help them understand themselves better and cope with the challenges they may face.
- Hormone therapy: Hormone treatment involves the use of estrogen or testosterone to induce physical changes that align with an individual's gender identity. Estrogen can feminize features, while testosterone can masculinize them.
- Hormone blockers: These medications can be used in youth to temporarily pause puberty, giving individuals more time to explore their gender identity before irreversible changes occur.
- Gender-affirming surgeries: Surgical procedures, such as breast augmentation or removal, genital reconstruction, or facial feminization surgery, aim to modify physical characteristics to align with an individual's gender identity.
- Health behavior changes: Some individuals may choose to make lifestyle changes, such as adopting different names and pronouns, exploring various styles of clothing and makeup, or using chest-binding or padding.
It's important to note that the specific treatment plan will vary depending on individual needs and preferences. Consulting with healthcare professionals experienced in transgender healthcare is crucial to determine the most appropriate course of action.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors, so it's essential to consult with your healthcare professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur, so it's best to check with your healthcare professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.