What does gender identity disorder mean?

Gender identity disorder refers to a psychological inability to identify with one's assigned gender, resulting in the persistent belief that one should belong to the opposite gender.

Gender identity disorder may result from various factors such as cortical brain damage, hormonal abnormalities during fetal development, excessive separation anxiety, or poor development of secondary sexual characteristics. In childhood, individuals often express a desire to be the opposite gender or firmly insist they are the opposite gender. They may prefer clothing, toys, and games typically associated with the opposite sex and show aversion toward their own genitalia. During adolescence, discomfort or distress regarding one's body tends to increase, often accompanied by a strong desire for surgical or medical interventions. In adulthood, individuals typically exhibit an intense desire to change their biological sex and social gender identity, frequently imitating expressions, postures, and vocal tones of the opposite sex. Some may self-administer medications intended to alter physical characteristics, or even undergo surgeries to modify their appearance.

The primary goal of treatment for gender identity disorder is to safely and sustainably alleviate symptoms, thereby maximizing the patient's quality of life.