Gender dysphoria is the distress a person experiences due to a mismatch between their gender identity—their personal sense of their own gender—and their sex assigned at birth.
For example, some people may have male genitals and facial hair but do not identify as a male or feel masculine. Some may have female genitals and breasts but do not identify as a female or feel feminine. Some people do not define themselves as having a "binary" identity.
A strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender. A strong desire to be of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one's assigned gender) A strong desire to be treated as the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one's assigned 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. For example, you may be assigned at birth as a female gender, but you feel a deep inner sense of being male.
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.
Most patients (TM: 78%; TW: 73%) reported experiencing GD for the first time between ages 3 and 7 years.
A diagnosis for gender dysphoria is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a manual published by the American Psychiatric Association. The diagnosis was created to help people with gender dysphoria get access to necessary health care and effective treatment.
To put in simpler terms, a person with gender dysphoria is not mentally ill; they are dissatisfied with the gender assigned at their birth. A person with body dysmorphia has a disorder in which they perceive their body or face as “ugly,” “fat,” or otherwise unattractive despite medical or personal reassurances.
Treatment options might include changes in gender expression and role, hormone therapy, surgery, and behavioral therapy.
Where can I get a diagnosis of gender dysphoria? While a GP is able to provide this, not many GPs feel that they have the necessary knowledge or training to 'diagnose'. Much more work is needed in this area. Other people who can help are local endocrinologists, GPs with a special interest or other gender specialists.
'Gender dysphoria' diagnosis shouldn't be required for gender-affirming care.
Various types of dysphoria include rejection sensitive dysphoria, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a condition that exists because of society, not individual pathology.
Gender dysphoria and/or coming out as transgender can occur at any age. The DSM-5-TR* distinguishes between Gender Dysphoria in Childhood for those who experience Gender Dysphoria before puberty. The diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults can occur at any age.
The prognosis of gender dysphoria is generally positive and improves with treatment, which may include a combination of psychotherapy, hormones and surgery.
People living with ADHD may question their gender identity or experience gender dysphoria more often than people without ADHD. But there's no evidence to support a direct cause-and-effect relationship between ADHD and gender nonconformity.
They see themselves, or a certain aspect of themselves, as “distorted” or “ugly.” Though gender dysphoria and body dysmorphia are two different things, it's very possible to experience both disorders, sometimes at the same time. For example, someone who has gender dysphoria may also become preoccupied with breast size.
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.
the foetus' insensitivity to the hormones, known as androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS)(external link opens in a new window / tab) – when this happens, gender dysphoria may be caused by hormones not working properly in the womb.
Heritability studies suggest a genetic component: 23% to 33% of monozygotic twin pairs are concordant for gender dysphoria (19).
A recent study investigated the volume of grey matter in individuals with GD and found that they had a smaller volume in the left posterior superior hemisphere of the cerebellum compared to male controls and a smaller volume of the right inferior orbitofrontal cortex compared to female controls.
Fluid is a form of gender identity or gender expression, rather than a sexual orientation. Fluid relates to how a person identifies themselves internally and presents themselves to the world. A person who is gender fluid may identify as male one day, female the next, both male and female, or neither.
There was growing evidence that the autistic population has a higher risk of GD. However, certain studies seek to disprove this hypothesis. There is also growing evidence that childhood abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and physical or sexual abuse may be associated with GD.