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Gender identity disorder - Symptom

Alternative Names

Transsexualism

Symptoms:

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

Signs and 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.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/6/2008
  • Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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