Diagnosis Dictionary

Gender Identity Disorder (Causes)

Gender identity disorder occurs when a person feels as if their biological gender doesn’t accord with who they feel themselves to be.

People with gender identity disorder act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex. The disorder may affect self-concept, choice of sexual partners and the display of femininity or masculinity through mannerisms, behavior and dress.

The feeling of being in the body of the "wrong" gender must persist for at least two years for this diagnosis to be made. The cause is unknown, but hormonal influences in the womb, genetics and environmental factors (such as parenting) are suspected to be involved. The disorder may occur in children or adults, and is rare.

There are no recent studies to provide data on prevalence of gender identity disorder. Data from some countries in Europe suggest that roughly 1 per 30,000 adult males and 1 per 100,000 adult females seek sex-reassignment surgery.

Onset of cross-gender interests and activities is usually between ages 2 and 4 years, and some parents report that their child has always had cross-gender interests. Only a very small number of children with gender identity disorder will continue to have symptoms that meet criteria for the disorder in later adolescence or adulthood. Typically, children are referred around the time of school entry because of parental concern that what they regarded as a phase does not appear to be passing.

Adult onset is typically in early to mid-adulthood, usually after or concurrent with transvestic fetishism. There are two different courses for the development of gender identity disorder:

  • The first, typically found in late adolescence or adulthood, is a continuation of GID that had an onset in childhood or early adolescence.
  • In the other course, the more overt signs of cross-gender identification appear later and more gradually, with a clinical presentation in early to mid-adulthood usually following, but sometimes concurrent with, transvestic fetishism.

The later-onset group:

  • may be more fluctuating in the degree of cross-gender identification
  • more ambivalent about sex-reassignment surgery
  • more likely to be sexually attracted to women
  • less likely to be satisfied after sex-reassignment surgery.
  • Males with gender identity disorder who are sexually attracted to males tend to present in adolescence or early childhood with a lifelong history of gender dysphoria. In contrast, those who are sexually attracted to females, to both males and females or to neither sex tend to present later and typically have a history of transvestic fetishism. If gender identity disorder is present in adulthood, it tends to have a chronic course, but spontaneous remission has been reported.

 

Next: Treatments

Find a Therapist

Search our customized Directory for a licensed professional near you.
 See new therapists

The Latest on Gender Identity Disorder

Should a male student be allowed to dress as a girl and use girls’ restrooms? by Elizabeth Meyer, Ph.D.
Transsexual people are not "the other." We come from you. by Calpernia Addams
Some questions are better answered elsewhere, when politeness is at risk. by Calpernia Addams
Transsexual actress Calpernia Addams tells it like it is. by Calpernia Addams

Current Issue

Everyday Creativity

How to start living creatively and reap the benefits.