ABOUT THE DISEASE
Gender reassignment, sometimes also called as sex reassignment, can be performed for a number of reasons such as:
- People who are born with ambiguous genitalia i.e with internal and / or external sex organs that display characteristics of both female and male sex organs and who are assigned a specific gender at birth but which they like to change later.
- People who suffer from Manning and gender identity disorder (GID) - where a person develops a strong personal identification with the opposite sex. People with GID - who may be heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual - often have an interest in altering their genitals and may adopt the dress and mannerisms typically associated with the opposite sex.
CAUSES
The cause is unknown, but hormonal problems during pregnancy, genes, social and environmental factors (such as parenting) may be responsible for this, however this is not to be mistaken with homosexuality.
SYMPTOMS
Some of the behavior patterns related to this disorder include:
- • Cross dressing i.e Dress like the opposite sex.
- • Depression or anxiety.
- • Want to live as a person of the opposite sex.
- • Wish to be rid of their own genitals.
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is based on a few factors:
- Persistent feeling of being in the body of the "wrong" gender for at least 2 years.
- A history and psychiatric evaluation confirming the same.
TREATMENT METHODS
In the case of children - Individual and family therapy is recommended along with a supportive environment at home and in school. For adults - Individual and, if appropriate, couples therapy is recommended. Sex reassignment through surgery and hormonal therapy is an option in severe cases, but identity problems may continue after this treatment.
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