Diagnosis Dictionary

Gender Identity Disorder (Treatments)

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

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 severe problems may persist after this form of treatment. A better outcome is associated with the early diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.

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Gender Identity Disorder. Last reviewed 10/24/2005

Sources:

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • National Institutes of Health - National Library of Medicine

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