Gender identity disorder
Alternate Names : Transsexualism
Symptoms & Signs
Children: - Are disgusted by their own genitals
- Are rejected by their peers, feel alone
- Believe that they will grow up to become the opposite sex
- Have depression or anxiety
- Say that they want to be the opposite sex
Adults: - Dress like the opposite sex
- Feel alone
- Have depression or anxiety
- Want to live as a person of the opposite sex
- Wish to be rid of their own genitals
Either adults or children: - Cross-dress, show habits typical of the opposite sex
- Withdraw from social interaction
Diagnosis & Tests
The feeling of being in the body of the "wrong" gender must last for at least 2 years for this diagnosis to be made. A history and psychiatric evaluation can confirm the person's constant desire to be the opposite sex. The person's partner choices may be same sex or opposite sex.
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