1. Gender Dysphoria

2. Definitions
Sex-your chromosomal make up as either a boy or a girl, also based on your genitalia.
Gender-how you, the public, and the legal system view you (as male or female)
Gender Dysphoria-an individual’s discontent with the assigned gender

3. Definitions
Transgender-individuals who identify with a gender that is different than how they were born
Transsexual-individuals who seek, or have undergone, a social transition from female to male, or male to female-usually involves hormone therapy and genital surgery

4. Gender Dysphoria in Children
For at least 6 months you must have all of the following:
Have a strong desire to be the other gender
Wear clothes that belong to the opposite sex
Enjoy cross-gender roles and role-play and fantasy play
Enjoy toys, games, or activities that “belong” to the opposite sex
Prefer playmates of their opposite gender
A strong dislike of one’s sexual anatomy
A desire for the sex characteristics of the opposite sex

5. Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents
For at least 6 months you must have two of the following:
Have a strong desire to be the other gender
A strong dislike of one’s sexual anatomy (want to get rid of it)
A desire for the sex characteristics of the opposite sex
A strong desire to be treated as the opposite gender
A strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the opposite gender
The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning

6. In Adolescents: Specifiers: With a disorder of sex development?
Post-transition? (have they already started living like the other gender)

7. Development and Course
Distress: Children will cry when their parents don’t let them “be” the other gender
Children are usually aged 2-4 when diagnosed
Doesn’t always persist into adulthood (only up to 30-50%)
If it doesn’t persist, a male will usually identify themselves later as androphilic
If it doesn’t persist, females will identify themselves as gynephilic 32-50% of the time

8. Prevalence Males: 0.005% to 0.014% Females: 0.002 to 0.003%
More common in males, except in Japan and Poland

9. Risk Factors:
1. Temperamental: Atypical gender behavior is seen in early preschool age
2. Environmental: Males with gender dysphoria more commonly have older brothers
3. Genetic-Weak genetic contribution
Increased androgen in females with the disorder
No hormone abnormalities in males found

10. Culture-Related Issues
This disorder has been reported across many countries and cultures

11. Consequence of Gender Dysphoria
Failure to develop same-sex peers leads to loneliness
Refusal to attend school because of fear of bullying
Relationship difficulties
Depression, negative self-concept
Discrimination (employment, etc,)

12. Differential Diagnosis
How could you tell if a child has Gender Dysphoria Disorder, or is simply a “tomboy” or “in touch with his feminine side”?