Gender Identity Problems
Gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person’s physical gender and the gender they identify as. For example, someone assigned male at birth may actually feel and act like a girl. This creates deep discomfort with their assigned gender.
Causes
People with gender identity disorder may behave, present, and feel like the opposite gender. It can affect:
- Choice of sexual partners
- Mannerisms, behavior, and dress
- Self-concept
Identity conflicts must persist over time to be considered a disorder. Causes may include hormonal influences, genetics, social and environmental factors. It can occur in children and adults.
Symptoms
Symptoms in Children
- Disgusted by their own genitals
- Rejected by peers, feeling isolated
- Believe they will grow up as the opposite sex
- Depression or anxiety
- Express wanting to be the opposite sex
Symptoms in Adults
- Dressing like the opposite sex
- Feeling isolated
- Depression or anxiety
- Wanting to live as the opposite gender
- Desire to remove their own genitalia
Either adults or children
- ✔ Cross-dress, show habits typical of the opposite sex
- ✔ Withdraw from social interaction
Either adults or children
The feeling of being in the body of the “wrong” gender must last for at least 2 years for this diagnosis to be made. A history and psychiatric evaluation can confirm the person’s constant desire to be the opposite sex. The person’s partner choices may be same sex or opposite sex.