Gender Dysphoria
Updated:Gender dysphoria is the psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one's sex assigned at birth and one's gender identity. People who experience gender dysphoria often feel that their body does not match their true gender. This can lead to significant discomfort, anxiety, and a desire to change one's physical characteristics to better align with their gender identity.
Additional Information
Gender dysphoria is a recognized medical condition in the DSM-5. Treatment may involve counseling, hormone therapy, and gender affirmation surgery to help individuals transition to their self-identified gender. Not all transgender or gender non-conforming people experience gender dysphoria. With increased societal acceptance and access to supportive care, many transgender people are able to live fulfilling lives as their authentic selves.
Examples
A person assigned male at birth experiences persistent discomfort with their body and a strong desire to have typically female characteristics.
An individual pursues hormone therapy and surgery to alleviate the distress of their gender dysphoria and physically transition to their self-identified gender.