Gender Dysphoria

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.Body ImageThe following page includes discussions of body image, including starving oneself, binging and purging, exaggerated self-analysis, and body dysphoria. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Gender Dysphoria (GD)**, formerly known as **Gender Identity Disorder (GID)**, is a formal diagnosis given by mental health professionals to individuals who experience distress because of a significant incongruence between the gender they identify as and the gender they were born.

Gender dysphoria is not a mental disorder, but some individuals may develop mental health problems because of gender dysphoria. It is classified as neurodivergent due to a divergence in the typical way someone may view their gender correlated to their sex.

## Signs of Gender Dysphoria

Individuals with gender dysphoria may have changed their appearance, their behavior, or their interests.

They may also show signs of discomfort and distress, including:

* Low self-esteem.
* Becoming withdrawn or socially isolated.
* Depression or anxiety.
* Taking unnecessary risks.
* Neglecting themselves.

One may feel:

* Certain that their gender identity conflicts with their biological sex.
* Comfortable only when in the gender role of their preferred gender identity.
* A strong desire to hide or be rid of physical signs of their biological sex.
* A strong dislike of the genitals of their biological sex.

## Treatment and Surgery

For some individuals, treatment may just involve acceptance and affirmation or confirmation of their identity. For others, it may involve bigger changes, such as changes to their voice, hormone treatment or surgery.

## Dysphoric Cis Individuals

Dysphoric Cis Individuals (DCI), also known as Cis Individuals Experiencing Gender Dysphoria (CIED), are individuals who experience gender dysphoria, yet do not identify as transgender, non-binary, or transsex for a variety of reasons. For more information on DCI, visit the LGBTA wiki page.

## Controversy

Clinical GD diagnoses have been controversial since they first appeared. Critics have argued that GD diagnoses continue a long-standing history of pathologizing oppressed individuals. Some argue that the diagnosis stigmatizes groups that are simply expressing variation, not pathology. While some transgender individuals argue that without clinical diagnosis, there may be more problems and obstacles in their way of medically transitioning.

## Types of Gender Dysphoria

### Body Dysphoria

Body Dysphoria is the distressed caused from one's body being different than the body desired for an individual's gender identity.

### Mind Dysphoria

Mind Dysphoria is the distress caused from thoughts or emotions that oppose an individual's gender identity.

### Social Dysphoria

Social Dysphoria is the distress caused from how others see one's gender identity, and whether or not they are being misgendered.

### Gender Dysmorphia

Gender Dysmorphia is gender dysphoria that overlaps with body dysmorphia.

## References

https://www.britannica.com/science/gender-dysphoria

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/symptoms/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/

https://www.lgbtqia.wiki/wiki/Dysphoric\_Cis\_Individuals