How to Identify Gender Identity Disorder

Gender identity disorder is the classification that psychologists and doctors give to people who are significantly discontented with the gender that they were born into. The symptoms can be quite obvious, but just because someone exhibits some of the symptoms does not mean that they have gender identity disorder. There are specific criteria which must be met. Knowing these criteria and how to identify them can help someone identify the disorder and take proactive steps from that point.

Things You'll Need

• Person you believe may have gender identity disorder

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Instructions

• 1

  Check for cross-gender identification in the person. This identification must be both strong and persistent. This does not pertain to desiring cultural advantages of being a member of the opposite sex. See Steps 2 through 6 to identify the strong and persistent identification in children.

• 2

  Pay attention to see if the child repeatedly states his/her desire to be a member of the opposite sex. The child may even go as far as to insist that he/she is actually a member of the opposite sex.

• 3

  Pay attention to the child's chosen clothing attire. Boys with gender identity disorder will either cross-dress or try to simulate female attire. Girls with gender identity disorder will insist on only wearing clothes that are typically stereotyped as male clothing.

• 4

  Talk to the child about, or pay close attention to, their fantasy and make-believe play. Children with gender identity disorder will often prefer to play the role of the opposite gender when playing make-believe. They will also persistently fantasize about being a member of the opposite sex.

• 5

  Watch what games the child chooses to play. Children with this disorder will often have a serious desire to participate in only games that are stereotypical of the opposite gender. This could include girls wanting to play football or boys playing with dolls.

• 6

  Look at what friends the child desires to play with. Often children with this disorder will willingly choose to have playmates of the opposite sex. If a child meets at least four of the criteria in Steps 2 through 6, then the strong identification with the opposite sex mentioned in Step 1 is present. To check for the persistent, strong identity with the opposite sex in adults and adolescents, see Step 7.

• 7

  Pay attention to the adult or adolescent. Their symptoms are often very obvious. In these age groups, the person will often frequently state the desire to be a member of the opposite sex, and may even pass as the opposite sex frequently. The person will also often insist that they have the same reactions and feelings as the opposite sex. The person may even desire to live as the opposite sex, and may even request that people treat them as the opposite sex. If the adolescent or adult displays these symptoms, then the strong identification with the opposite sex (as mentioned in Step 1) is present. Remember, these symptoms must not merely just be a patient seeking the cultural advantages of being the opposite sex.

• 8

  Check for the remaining criteria to make a diagnosis. Once a strong, persistent identification with the opposite sex is identified (without merely wanting cultural advantages), check for a discomfort with his/her current gender. This discomfort must be persistent. They may also feel inappropriate following the gender roles of the sex to which he/she was born. Children will show this discomfort by rejecting their gender role. Boys will want their penis to disappear, and girls will not want to grow breasts or menstruate. Adults and adolescents will show this discomfort by stating that they were born the wrong sex, and may even begin taking steps to get rid of both their primary and secondary sexual attributes.

• 9

  Ensure that these symptoms are not occurring at the same time as a physical intersex condition (after identifying the identification with other sex and the discomfort with current gender). Intersex conditions can be caused by mutations that the patient doesn't even realize are occurring.

• 10

  Check to see if the disturbance is causing serious impairment or distress in work, social or other necessary functions of the person's life.