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Gender Dysphoria. 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. Definitions.
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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
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
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
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
In Adolescents: • Specifiers: • With a disorder of sex development? • Post-transition? (have they already started living like the other gender)
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
Prevalence • Males: 0.005% to 0.014% • Females: 0.002 to 0.003% • More common in males, except in Japan and Poland
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
Culture-Related Issues • This disorder has been reported across many countries and cultures
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,)
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”?