Gender Dysphoria

When talking about gender identity, we saw how the gender assigned at birth may not align with an individual’s perceived gender.
Sometimes, this lack of correspondence can lead to psychological distress, and in this case, we talk about gender-related dysphoria.

First, what does dysphoria mean?
To simplify, we can see it as the opposite of euphoria, a term that is probably more familiar.
Being euphoric means being particularly happy, with lots of positive energy and motivation.
Being dysphoric means experiencing an unpleasant situation, with a negative outlook that can lead to feeling nervous or irritable.

Gender dysphoria can be defined as the distress that may be experienced when there is no alignment between the gender assigned at birth (which corresponds to biological sex) and gender identity.
It is important to note that dysphoria is not always the consequence of this misalignment—it is only a possibility.

Gender dysphoria in children (according to the DSM-5) is characterized by a strong incongruence between the gender assigned at birth and gender identity, resulting in significant distress for at least 6 months. In addition, at least six of the following symptoms must be present:

• Strong desire to belong to the opposite gender
• Wearing clothes considered typical of the opposite gender
• Assuming roles considered typical of the opposite gender
• Playing games considered typical of the opposite gender
• Preferring to relate to peers of the opposite gender
• Aversion to one’s own genitals

• Strong desire for physical characteristics of the opposite gender.

Gender dysphoria in adolescents and adults (according to the DSM-5) is characterized by a strong incongruence between the gender assigned at birth and gender identity, resulting in significant distress for at least 6 months. In addition, at least two of the following symptoms must be present:

• Incongruence between gender assigned at birth and primary or secondary sex characteristics
• Desire to get rid of one’s sex characteristics
• Desire for sex characteristics of the opposite gender
• Desire to belong to the opposite gender
• Desire to be treated as if one belonged to the opposite gender

• Conviction of having the feelings and reactions considered typical of the opposite gender.

Important note:
In recent posts, I have not talked about sexuality or sexual orientation since they are not directly connected to gender identity or gender dysphoria.
For example, being gay (a man who is sexually attracted to men) or lesbian (a woman who is sexually attracted to women) does not fall under gender dysphoria, because in these cases there is an alignment between the gender assigned at birth and gender identity.
Sexual attraction to individuals of the same sex is not classified as a mental disorder.

Sources:

• American Psychiatric Association (2013) – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.)
• Bernhill, J. W. (2014) – DSM-5 Clinical Cases

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