Gender Dysphoria in Children

Symptoms

  • A marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months’ duration, as manifested by at least six of the following:

  1. A strong desire to be of the other gender or an insistence that one is the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender).

  2. In boys (assigned gender), a strong preference for cross-dressing or simulating female attire: or in girls (assigned gender), a strong preference for wearing only typical masculine clothing and a strong resistance to the wearing of typical feminine clothing.

  3. A strong preference for cross-gender roles in make-believe play or fantasy play.

  4. A strong preference for the toys, games, or activities stereotypically used or engaged in by the other gender.

  5. A strong preference for playmates of the other gender.

  6. In boys (assigned gender), a strong rejection of typically masculine toys, games, and activities and a strong avoidance of rough-and-tumble play; or in girls (assigned gender), a strong rejection of typically feminine toys, games, and activities.

  7. A strong dislike of one’s sexual anatomy.

  8. A strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics that match one’s experienced gender.


  • The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, school, or other important areas of functioning.