Gender Identity Disorder - Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Gender identity disorder describes a conflict between a person's physical or apparent gender (sex) and that person's self-identification. A person with this disorder often experiences great discomfort regarding his or her actual anatomic gender. Problems in the individual's family interactions or family dynamics have also been postulated as having some causal impact. People with gender identity disorder may act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex and may express a desire to alter their bodies. Onset of cross-gender interests and activities is usually between ages 2 and 4 years, and some parents report that their child has always had cross-gender interests. Two components of gender identity disorder first is boys with gender identity disorder tend to prefer to dress in girls' clothes. They often avoid competitive sports and have little interest in rough and tumble games. Children with gender identity disorder refuse to dress and act in sex-stereotypical ways. It is important to remember that many emotionally healthy children experience fantasies about being a member of the opposite sex.