Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

A gender identity disorder is one in which a person wants to be the opposite sex. The person may also believes that he or she is "trapped" in a body of the wrong sex.

What is going on in the body?

Gender identity disorder is a profound disturbance of a person's sense of sexual identity. This disorder can begin as early as 2 years of age.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Gender identity disorder occurs more often in males than in females. No one knows what causes this disorder. Some theories suggest the disorder may be caused by:

chromosomal abnormality

imbalances in hormones

problems with early parent-child bonding

harmful child-rearing practices

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Symptoms & Signs

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

The signs and symptoms of gender identity disorder differ somewhat in children and adults.

Children may:

express the desire to be the opposite sex

have disgust with their own genitals

believe that they will grow up to become the opposite sex

show a strong preference for playmates of the opposite sex

want to play the stereotypical games of the opposite sex

be rejected by their peer group

feel isolated

be depressed

Adults may:

desire to live as a person of the opposite sex

believe that he or she was born the wrong sex

wish to be rid of their own genitals

dress like the opposite sex

be heterosexual or homosexual

feel isolated

be depressed

be withdrawn

have low self-esteem

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Diagnosis & Tests

How is the condition diagnosed?

A physical exam should be done to see if the person has any other any other condition that could be causing a sex identity problem. The diagnosis of gender identity disorder is made only if the person is distressed or has problems in social, interpersonal, or occupational functioning.

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Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the condition?

There is no known prevention for gender identity disorder.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

A person with gender identity disorder is usually isolated. Isolation and ostracism adds to the low self-esteem, and the person is more prone to suicide attempts. The disorder also increases the person's risk for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression, and acute situational anxiety

generalized anxiety disorder

panic disorder

post-traumatic stress disorder

phobias

obsessive compulsive disorders

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What are the risks to others?

There are no risks to others from gender identity disorder.

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Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the condition?

Individual and family counseling early in gender identity disorder can often help a person get used to his or her biologic sex. This has been shown to reduce later transsexual behavior and distress.

In more severe cases, a sex-change operation may be an option. This is surgery to change the person's genitals. It also includes giving hormones. However, before this treatment is considered, the person will undergo in-depth psychological and psychiatric evaluation and counseling.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

There are possible side effects with any surgery. These include bleeding, infection, and allergic reaction to the anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

A person with gender identity disorder who has a sex-change operation is often able to have good sexual relations. Hormones will be continued after surgery.

How is the condition monitored?

A person with gender identity disorder often needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis.

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