When should I seek help for my child? If your child is strongly identifying with a different gender and this is causing significant distress to them or your family, see a GP. Signs of distress in a child can include anxiety, withdrawal, destructive behaviour or depression.
The desire to be another gender occurs when one's sexual anatomy is in conflict with one's gender identity. It may be about an erotic desire to be in the role of the other gender, to play the roles and have the privileges of the other gender, or it may be related to a feeling that one was born into the “wrong” body.
Gender identity typically develops in stages: Around age two: Children become conscious of the physical differences between boys and girls. Before their third birthday: Most children can easily label themselves as either a boy or a girl. By age four: Most children have a stable sense of their gender identity.
You may worry that your child's exploration of different gender preferences and behaviours is not "normal". However, this is not the case. A young child's exploration of different gender identities is quite common. However, for some children this may continue into later childhood and adolescence.
Rapid-onset gender dysphoria is described as a seemingly sudden appearance of gender identity issues that first become evident during puberty or shortly thereafter. It is not a recognized diagnosis but a controversial research theory.
Symptoms of gender dysphoria in children
To receive a diagnosis through the DSM-5 , at least 6 of the following symptoms must be present for 6 months or longer: a strong desire to be another gender. a desire to wear clothing aligned with a different gender. a preference to play another gender in make-believe games.
A gender dysphoria test is a set of psychological questions to determine whether you have gender dysphoria. The gender therapist will talk to you about your symptoms, how long they've been going on for if there are any related complications such as depression or anxiety, and other possible causes for these feelings.
Gender dysphoria history: Of the 55 TM patients included in our study, 41 (75%) reported feeling GD for the first time by age 7, and 53 (96%) reported first experiencing GD by age 13 (Table 2).
Guys flirt with girls they like. He might ask you for your number, then call you the next day. He may act playful, wink, and flash a smile at you. If most of your conversations feel flirty, then odds are that he likes you as more than just a friend.
Bigender: Someone who identifies with both male and female genders, or even a third gender.
Gender dysphoria is the term for a deep sense of unease and distress that may occur when your biological sex does not match your gender identity. In the past, this was called gender identity disorder.
The exact cause of gender dysphoria is unclear. Gender development is complex and there are still things that are not known or fully understood. Gender dysphoria is not related to sexual orientation. People with gender dysphoria may identify as straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual.
There is also growing evidence that childhood abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and physical or sexual abuse may be associated with GD. Individuals reporting higher body dissatisfaction and GD have a worse prognosis in terms of mental health.
CONCLUSION: Most children grow out of their gender dysphoria as they reach adolescence. Social transitions and/or puberty blockers are frequently used to ameliorate symptoms in these children.
While symptoms of gender dysphoria often appear in early childhood, it's not uncommon for them to first appear during adolescence or, in some cases, even adulthood.
Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy. If you have gender dysphoria, seek help from a doctor who has expertise in the care of gender-diverse people.
Genuinely listen to your child and truly sympathize with what they're telling you. Be patient. The DSM-5 recognizes gender dysphoria as a medical condition (not a mental disorder as per outdated definitions). Your child's concerns are legitimate, backed by science, and extremely real.
Causes of gender dysphoria
Occasionally, the hormones that trigger the development of biological sex may not work properly on the brain, reproductive organs and genitals, causing differences between them. This may be caused by: additional hormones in the mother's system – possibly as a result of taking medication.
Gender dysphoria might start in childhood and continue into adolescence and adulthood. Or you might have periods in which you no longer experience gender dysphoria. You might also experience gender dysphoria around the time of puberty or much later in life.
Some children are comfortable identifying as a gender that's different from their assumed gender. And being gender diverse or experimenting with gender expression isn't a problem unless your child seems upset or distressed about their gender. But some children do experience gender dysphoria.
Although gender dysphoria is not a mental illness, when not addressed, it may lead to worsening mood issues, depression and anxiety, and may further complicate the issues the individuals may be having. Insurance may cover some illnesses associated with gender dysphoria and gender dysphoria care.
Studies suggest that gender dysphoria may have biological causes associated with the development of gender identity before birth. More research is needed before the causes of gender dysphoria can be fully understood.