Gender Identity Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence

Abstract

While debates continue as to whether or not a diagnosis of gender identity disorder (GID) is wanted or needed by today's adult transsexual, there is increasing concern both in academic and lay literature regarding the diagnosis of children and adolescents with GID. This paper critically evaluates the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of GID in children and adolescents in light of published controversies, evidence, and arguments in psychological, psychiatric, and lay discourse since the release of the DSM-IV. In the years since GID's first inclusion in the DSM-III, growing criticisms weigh heavily against the diagnosis of GID in children and adolescents. This analysis urges a re-evaluation of the GID diagnosis for children and, to a lesser extent, adolescents. Overall, there is deepening discomfort with pathologizing children and youth for extreme gender variance. Since this is a highly contentious diagnosis-with little established reliability and validity, and problematic assessment and treatment approaches-researchers and clinicians need to establish that GID is validly diagnosed with nonbiased assessments and treated effectively in accordance with current Standards.