Gender Identity Disorder Case Study

Case Study Analysis of Phil

Phil is a 35 year-old male suffering from gender identity disorder. This condition exists when an individual displays symptoms of distress related to his or her physical gender. In his early years, the patient suggested that his male features would fall fo and reveal his feminine body, and when he entered adolescence, he began having sexual encounters with other males. The patient indicates that he never felt comfortable with his sexual identity and became intimately involved with women that he either admired or envied (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Phil obviously suffers from a conflict between his physical gender and the gender he identifies as , and is very uncomfortable with his male body.

Gender Identity Disorder

Gender identity disorder, also referred to as transsexualism is a condition referenced and cataloged in the DSM IV-TR, but does not focus on the individuals’ sexual symptoms. Gender identity disorder involves a disruption in an individual’s gender identity, which is directly related to his or her sexuality (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Defining gender identity disorder is done via two individual variables; sex, or the individual’s biological body, and gender, or the individual’s psychological sense of being male or female (Hansell, & Damour, 2008). Individuals suffering from gender identity disorder may act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex, and may display symptoms like altered choice of sexual partners, mannerisms, behavior, choice of attire, and self-concept (PubMedHealth, 2012).

According to PubMedHealth (2012) “identity conflicts need to continue over time to be a gender identity disorder” (p. 1). Symptoms of gender identity disorder can vary depending on the subject’s age and social environment. Children suffering from gender identity disorder can display symptoms ranging from a disgust for his or her genitals, rejection from peers, a belief that he or she will grow up to become the opposite sex, and state that he or she wants to be the opposite sex (PubMedHealth, 2012). Adults suffering from the disorder may dress like the opposite sex, feel alone and isolated, suffer from anxiety or depression, show a desire to live as a member of the opposite sex, and show a desire to eliminate his or her genitals (PubMedHealth, 2012).

In order for a proper diagnosis to be made, the individual must show an expression of being in the body of the wrong gender for a period no less than two years (PubMedHealth, 2012). This helps clinicians determine if the individual is actually suffering from gender identity disorder, or another disorder that has similar desires (PubMedHealth, 2012). Gender identity disorder also has little to no relevance in the individual’s choice of sexual partners, meaning a man who feels he is truly a woman may still be physically attracted to women. The cause of gender identity disorder are not known, but hormones in the womb, genetics, and social and environmental factors are suspected (PubMedHealth, 2012).

Patient History

The patient is a highly educated and successful professor of anthropology. As a child he found himself more interested in playing with girls and dolls. He had a very close relationship with his mother, and found it easier to make friends with girls than boys. His father was an abusive alcoholic who regularly abused Phil’s mother. Phil expressed to his parents in early childhood that his male genitals would fall off, and spent time with a child therapist because his parents were alarmed by his belief. In his early teen years, Phil expressed his attraction of other males to his mother. She was very supportive of the possibility that Phil was a homosexual. When he came out as a homosexual, he experimented with same-sex relationships, but never felt full comfortable with his own male body. He experimented with cross-dressing, and portraying a feminine role with his sexual partners, but continued to lack internal happiness with his gender.

Components of Phil’s Gender Identity Disorder

The primary component of Phil’s gender identity disorder is his life-long belief that he was a female born in the body of a male. Phil often displayed dissatisfaction or distress with his male genitals, and showed signs of distress and anxiety over believing that something in his life was wrong. Phil experimented with cross-dressing, and taking on more feminine roles with sexual partners, and found himself researching the concept of sexual reassignment surgery.

Conclusion

Gender identity disorder is not the same as homosexuality. It is a disorder that occurs when an individual strongly believes that he or she was born with the body of the wrong sex. People suffering from gender identity disorder are prone to serious symptoms ranging from emotional distress, depression, isolation, and in worst cases, become suicidal. Gender identity disorder is not age specific, and affects both children and adults. An individual that has displayed signs of gender identity disorder for more than two years should receive proper treatment base don his or her age. Children and adults suffering form identity gender disorder require a supportive environment, and may want to consider the option of gender reassignment surgery once he or she has reached adult age. He or she must weigh all the options of treatment available, including therapy before making the decision to perform gender reassignment. People who do complete gender reassignment surgery may continue to need therapy as the procedure may not cure the identity problems the individual has experienced.

References

Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

PubMedHealth. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002495/