1. Gender
Gender dysphoria

2. GENDER DYSPHORIA
Individuals experience conflict between their sex and gender identity are often referred to as ‘transsexuals’.

3. They often describe themselves as feeling trapped in wrong body
They often describe themselves as feeling trapped in wrong body. Gender dysphoria is the ‘core symptom’ of gender identity disorder (GID). It is important to note that this is not the same as homosexuality where there is an acceptance of one’s sex identity.

4. Gender Identity Disorder (GID)
1 in 11,000
Criteria for DSM IV
The person much experience ongoing identification with the opposite sex (i.e. ‘feel’ like a man/woman).
They must feel a strong sense of discomfort with their own biological sex.
The experience must affect their ability to function in everyday life.
No biological condition (such as androgen insensitivity syndrome) should occur at the same time.

5. Psychological explanations for gender dysphoria
Coates et al. (1991) Case study
Trauma may lead to cross-gender fantasy to relieve anxiety
As observed in a boy whose mother suffered severe depression when he was 3 years old.

6. Stoller (1975)
Gender Identity Disorder results from distorted parental attitudes.
Overly close mother-son relationship may lead to greater female identification and confused gender identity

7. However as Cole points out (1997)
Some people do not experience such conditions and yet have GID
Others who experience trauma in childhood do not develop GID

8. Furthermore
Many individuals who experience gender dysphoria report discomfort which goes back as far they remember
Therefore, it must be due to prenatal experiences rather than childhood trauma.

9. Biological explanations for gender dysphoria
Environmental pollution
DDT contains oestrogens
Males may be prenatally exposed to high levels of female hormones

10. Genetic conditions Androgen insensitivity syndrome
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
May result in intersex condition when external genitalia do not match genetic sex

11. Region of hypothalamus
The BSTc (the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis is usually larger in males.
Zhou et al (1995) found six male-femal transsexuals had a female-sized BSTc.

12. Research evidence Suggests that gender dysphoria diminishes over time.
Most children who show cross-sex identification do not go on to request sex changes. (Green 1997)
See other research by Drummond et al (2008)

13. Consider methodology and ethics
Prospective vs. retrospective
Variety of measurements used (trangulation)
Socially sensitive nature of the research