The diagnosis of Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder becomes very widespread nowadays. It is quite difficult for many scientists to find out the major reason for such cross-gender identification. Nevertheless, there are many descriptive features and factors which help to make this diagnosis.
The Gender Identity Disorder may be classified as sexually attracted to males, sexually attracted to females, sexually attracted to both and sexually attracted to neither. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder is usually diagnosed according to 4 criteria. Criterion A presupposes the strong desire to be the other sex or the evidence of persistent cross-gender identification. Cross-gender identification consists not only of the evidence of the advantages of being the other sex but also the discomfort or a sense of inappropriateness of being the assigned sex. This sense of discomfort belongs to Criterion B. Criterion C includes a concurrent intersex condition. And the last factor, Criterion D, is “clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational and other areas of functioning” (Gender Identity Disorders Section in DSM IV, TR, n.d.).
Boys with Gender Identity Disorder are fond of women’s clothes namely dresses, tights, high-heeled shoes and different things of innerwear. They prefer to play with girl mates with dolls. These boys usually play female roles in playing. They are sensitive and emotional like girls. On the contrary, girls with Gender Identity Disorder are dissatisfied with parents’ requests to wear female clothes like dresses. They like boys’ clothing and short hair. These girls usually play with boys and their plays are often aggressive with the use of fights and toy guns (Zucker, 2009). Adults with Gender Identity Disorder demonstrate their desire to be of the other sex acquiring the physical appearance of the other sex and adopting its social roles. Their main aim is that the public treats them as if they were of the other sex.
There are many associated descriptive features and mental disorders which contribute to the development of Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder. According to DSM-IV-TR, many individuals with Sexual Disorder are isolated. Isolation and ostracism may be the reason for the development of this disease. The diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder may coexist with different symptoms of depression, Separation Anxiety Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It should be noted, that not all children with the above diagnoses have Gender Identity Disorder. More than that, these Personality Disorders are more often diagnosed among males than females. Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder may be also connected with Suicide attempts and Substance-Related Disorders. Adult males who are attractive for females or males, for both or neither sex usually have erotic arousal associated with the thought of their image as a woman which is terminologically called autogynephilia. Individual fantasies may be the reason for the development of the preference of one or another sex (Cohen-Kettenis & Pfafflin, 2009).
Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder may be distinguished among different diagnoses. They may be a simple nonconformity to the stereotypical sex-role behaviour, transvestic fetishism or schizophrenia. Nonconformity to the stereotypical sex-role behaviour is usually observed among children who present their preference to one or another sex. Transvestic fetishism is a widespread diagnosis among heterosexual or bisexual males who are excited about cross-dressing behaviour. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that may coexist with the Sexual and Gender disorder (Gender Identity Disorders Section in DSM IV, TR, n.d.).
All the above-formulated criteria, descriptive features and associated and coexisting diagnoses help the doctors to differ the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorder. It should be noted, that some of the criteria, as well as some descriptive features, are not significant for making this diagnosis. People who have these features don’t need to have Sexual and Gender Disorder.
References List
- Cohen-Kettenis, P. & Pfafflin, F. (2009). The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults. Web.
- Gender Identity Disorders Section in DSM IV, TR. (n.d.).
- Zucker, K. (2009). The DSM Diagnostic Criteria for Gender Identity Disorder in Children. Web.