www.BeTreatedWell.com Gender Identity
The concept of Gender Identity Disorder dates back to the 1860's when Karl Ulrichs
described a "third sex" individual as someone with a female soul in male body.
Interestingly, Ulrichs and other scientists of that era viewed third sex individuals
(and homosexuals) as natural human deviations that were inborn and not
pathological.
An individual is diagnosed with a Gender Identity Disorder when biological sex
does not coincide with core gender identity, E.g., when someone has a female
gender identity in a body with male genitals. Usually biological sex and core
gender identity match, but they are two distinct aspects of who we are as
individuals: one is biological and the other is psychological.
Sex is declared at birth from the appearance of the newborns external genitalia,
but biologically sex is comprised of sex-determining genes, sex chromosomes, sex-
determining antigen, the gonads, hormones, and internal structures, in addition to
external genitalia. All of these components of biological sex are inter-related
developmentally from the time of conception along with brain development.
Gender identity is a sense of self as male or female, the result of some
combination of complex biological and social processes. Gender identity, including
a transsexual gender identity, is firmly established between the ages of 12 and 36
months, with the onset of cross gender interests usually evident between the ages
of 2 years and 4 years. Not all gender identity confusion in children results in
gender identity disorder in adulthood.
A person with a Gender Identity Disorder has strong and persistent cross-gender
identification which means the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, of the
other gender. This is not merely a desire for any perceived social or cultural
advantage. In addition, there must be symptoms such as a repeated stated
desire to be the other sex, desire to live or be treated as the other sex, the
conviction that he or she has feelings and reactions typical of the other sex.
In addition, the individual with Gender Identity Disorder has persistent discomfort
with the assigned sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of the
assigned sex. This would be manifest in symptoms such as preoccupation with
getting rid of primary and secondary sex characteristics and/or a belief that he or
she was born the wrong sex. Accurate diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder takes
specialized knowledge and training.
Though the use of hormones to induce breast growth and sex reassignment
surgery dates back to the 1920’s, it wasn't until Christine Jorgensen’s 1952 sex
change that most Americans became aware of transsexuals and hormonal and
surgical treatments for Gender Identity Disorder. These treatments are not widely
available and are not prescribed on demand.
Since 1979 there have been international guidelines regarding standards of care
for those with Gender Identity Disorder, with requirements regarding diagnosis,
psychotherapy, and a real-life experience during which a clinician must be
involved. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (formerly the
Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association) Standards of Care
state the goal of “lasting personal comfort with the gendered self in order to
maximize overall psychological well-being and self-fulfillment”. The Standards of
Care clearly state that the goal is not to cure the Gender Identity Disorder.
There is no evidence to support claims that Gender Identity Disorder can be
changed. Despite reports to the contrary, numerous research studies have
concluded that surgical reassignment in individuals with Gender Identity Disorder
is successful with improvement in subjective satisfaction, occupational
improvement, and psychological functioning. Though Gender Identity Disorder is
rare, everyone can benefit from an accurate understanding of Gender Identity and
sex, two distinct aspects of who we are.
The concept of Gender Identity Disorder dates back to the 1860's when Karl Ulrichs
described a "third sex" individual as someone with a female soul in male body.
Interestingly, Ulrichs and other scientists of that era viewed third sex individuals
(and homosexuals) as natural human deviations that were inborn and not
pathological.
An individual is diagnosed with a Gender Identity Disorder when biological sex
does not coincide with core gender identity, E.g., when someone has a female
gender identity in a body with male genitals. Usually biological sex and core
gender identity match, but they are two distinct aspects of who we are as
individuals: one is biological and the other is psychological.
Sex is declared at birth from the appearance of the newborns external genitalia,
but biologically sex is comprised of sex-determining genes, sex chromosomes, sex-
determining antigen, the gonads, hormones, and internal structures, in addition to
external genitalia. All of these components of biological sex are inter-related
developmentally from the time of conception along with brain development.
Gender identity is a sense of self as male or female, the result of some
combination of complex biological and social processes. Gender identity, including
a transsexual gender identity, is firmly established between the ages of 12 and 36
months, with the onset of cross gender interests usually evident between the ages
of 2 years and 4 years. Not all gender identity confusion in children results in
gender identity disorder in adulthood.
A person with a Gender Identity Disorder has strong and persistent cross-gender
identification which means the desire to be, or the insistence that one is, of the
other gender. This is not merely a desire for any perceived social or cultural
advantage. In addition, there must be symptoms such as a repeated stated
desire to be the other sex, desire to live or be treated as the other sex, the
conviction that he or she has feelings and reactions typical of the other sex.
In addition, the individual with Gender Identity Disorder has persistent discomfort
with the assigned sex or sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of the
assigned sex. This would be manifest in symptoms such as preoccupation with
getting rid of primary and secondary sex characteristics and/or a belief that he or
she was born the wrong sex. Accurate diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder takes
specialized knowledge and training.
Though the use of hormones to induce breast growth and sex reassignment
surgery dates back to the 1920’s, it wasn't until Christine Jorgensen’s 1952 sex
change that most Americans became aware of transsexuals and hormonal and
surgical treatments for Gender Identity Disorder. These treatments are not widely
available and are not prescribed on demand.
Since 1979 there have been international guidelines regarding standards of care
for those with Gender Identity Disorder, with requirements regarding diagnosis,
psychotherapy, and a real-life experience during which a clinician must be
involved. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (formerly the
Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association) Standards of Care
state the goal of “lasting personal comfort with the gendered self in order to
maximize overall psychological well-being and self-fulfillment”. The Standards of
Care clearly state that the goal is not to cure the Gender Identity Disorder.
There is no evidence to support claims that Gender Identity Disorder can be
changed. Despite reports to the contrary, numerous research studies have
concluded that surgical reassignment in individuals with Gender Identity Disorder
is successful with improvement in subjective satisfaction, occupational
improvement, and psychological functioning. Though Gender Identity Disorder is
rare, everyone can benefit from an accurate understanding of Gender Identity and
sex, two distinct aspects of who we are.
| Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC |
| www.BeTreatedWell.com phone: 248.553.9053 |
| Articles of Interest: Business of Therapy Anxiety Why Gender? Asperger's Disorder Adjustment Disorders Self-Injurious Behavior |
