Health Encyclopedia

Gender identity disorder

Definition

Gender identity disorder is a conflict between a person's actual physical gender and the one they actually identify him or herself as. For example, a person identified as a boy may actually feel and act like a girl.

Alternative Names

Transsexualism

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

People with gender identity disorder may act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex. The disorder may affect:

Choice of sexual partners
Display of feminine or masculine mannerisms, behavior, and dress
Self-concept

Gender identity disorder is not the same as homosexuality.

Identity issues can occur in many situations and appear in different ways. For example, some people with normal genitalia and sexual characteristics (such as breasts) of one gender privately identify more with the other gender.

Some people may cross-dress, and some may seek sex-change surgery. Others are born with ambiguous genitalia, which can raise identity issues.

The cause is unknown, but hormones in the womb, genes, and environmental factors (such as parenting) may be involved. The rare disorder may occur in children or adults.

Symptoms

Children:

Are disgusted by their own genitals
Are rejected by their peers, feel alone
Believe that they will grow up to become the opposite sex
Have depression or anxiety
Say that they want to be the opposite sex

Adults:

Dress like the opposite sex
Feel alone
Have depression or anxiety
Want to live as a person of the opposite sex
Wish to be rid of their own genitals

Either adults or children:

Cross-dress, show habits typical of the opposite sex
Withdraw from social interaction

Signs and tests

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.

Treatment

Individual and family counseling is recommended for children, and individual or couples therapy is recommended for adults. Sex reassignment through surgery and hormonal therapy is an option, but identity problems may continue after this treatment.

Expectations (prognosis)

Diagnosing and treating this disorder early can lead to a better outcome.

Complications

Depression or anxiety
Emotional distress
Feeling alone
Poor self-concept

Calling your health care provider

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder and want help, especially with anxiety and depression.

Review Date:2/6/2008
Reviewed By:Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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