The term “gender identity disorder” is an outdated term that was previously used to describe the psychological distress or incongruence an individual may experience when their gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. However, it’s important to note that the term “gender identity disorder” is no longer used in professional medical and psychological communities.
The current understanding and terminology used by healthcare professionals is “gender dysphoria.” Gender dysphoria refers to the distress or discomfort that may arise from the incongruence between a person’s gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth. It is recognized as a legitimate medical condition and is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
Gender dysphoria is not a disorder of the individual’s gender identity itself, but rather the distress caused by the incongruence between their gender identity and their assigned sex. It is important to emphasize that being transgender or having gender dysphoria is not a mental illness or a disorder, but rather a valid and diverse expression of human gender identity.
Medical and mental health professionals work with individuals experiencing gender dysphoria to provide support, guidance, and appropriate healthcare options. The focus of treatment is to alleviate the distress associated with the incongruence between gender identity and assigned sex through various means, including therapy, social transitioning, hormone therapy, and, in some cases, gender-affirming surgeries.
It is crucial to respect and affirm individuals’ self-identified gender and to provide them with the necessary support, understanding, and access to appropriate healthcare services to help them navigate their gender identity journey.