Gender Confusion and Depression

Rapidly changing male and female societal expectations--combined with the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual/two-spirited, queer/questioning people (LBGTQs) into modern culture--have only helped raise the incidence of gender confusion in society. Being uncertain about gender or wondering if you were born into the wrong one is as natural as someone's decision to come out as homosexual. The feelings about being a "man trapped in a woman's body' or vice versa and subsequent depression affect adults, adolescents and even children with gender identity disorder, meaning you're not alone if you feel this way.

Causes

• Studies on gender identity disorder (GID) have failed to discover any main causes; however, one theory suggests the disorder may be brought on by prenatal hormonal imbalance. Generally speaking, dysfunctional families are also attributed to people with GID.

Symptoms

• According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, children with GID or cross-gender identification repeatedly express or argue that they are the opposite sex, prefer cross-dressing, have strong interest in role play as the opposite sex and have a strong desire to play stereotypical games from the opposite sex. Many adults with the disorder wish to live without their genitals, want to live as the opposite sex and tend to feel alone.

Diagnosis

• GID is diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist through interviews with patients in which their social history is recorded. Family members may also be interviewed in the process.

Treatment

• Children with GID often receive treatment for depression and anxiety through positive reinforcement of their gender, along with psychosocial therapy sessions.

Personal Choice

• For those who choose not to receive treatment for GID, hormonal and surgical treatments to receive sex characteristics of the opposite gender are available for adults.