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