|Cause|   |Treatment|   |Prevalence| 

Cause

The cause of Gender Identity Disorders

Among experts in the field the cause of GID continues to be a hotly contested subject{1}. Despite it’s classification as a mental illness{2}, its roots are widely seen as based in bio-psycho-social influences, the complex interaction of genetic predisposition, parenting and role-model issues, sexual abuse and psychological disorders{3}.

 |Cause|   |Treatment|   |Prevalence| 

Treatment

The treatment of Gender Identity Disorders

Those suffering from gender identity disorders are increasingly requesting surgical solutions to what they believe to be a biological and irreversible condition, encouraged by somewhat erroneous reports in the media and amongst the transgendered community that surgery has proven to be an effective path to relief from their discomfort and distress. The position that GID is biological and irreversible is somewhat insidious in that it serves to take away free choice and denies the power of the human spirit to transcend determinism.

The fact is that SRS remains unproven as a treatment for GID{4} and is reserved for those patients in whom the condition is severe and long standing{5}, many of whom refuse to undergo any kind of psychotherapy or talking type intervention aimed at reconciling their incongruent gender identity with their biological sex{6}. Only about ten percent of patients who request surgery are operated on in the long run{7}.

For the majority of patients{8}, gender identity disorders are secondary to other identifiable psychological problems or situational factors that may resolve in time or through psychotherapy{9}. The view held by the majority of the medical profession is that surgical intervention for treatment of individuals whose gender identity disorders are of a psychological or emotional origin is unethical, illusory and become culturally driven, ineffective to the resolution of underlying causes of gender confusion and should not be promoted{10}.

 |Cause|   |Treatment|   |Prevalence| 

Prevalence

Prevalence of transsexualism

Estimates of the prevalence of transsexuals widely vary. They run from 1:100,000 to 1:37,000, depending on where the survey was conducted (Arndt, 1991).

In Australia there are over 5,000 transgenderists but only a quarter have had Sex Reassignment Surgery. (Perkins et al, 1994) At present twelve individuals a year have surgery through the Monash Medical Centre Gender Dysphoria Clinic which is publicly funded. (Leser, 1995(a)) Another thirteen have the surgery in private hospitals in Sydney. (Debelle, 1995)

Gender Dysphoria occurs 2-4 times more frequently in males than females. (Rattnam et al., 1991:) It has been suggested that this is because masculine orientated individuals are valued more in our society, so women are more freely able to incorporate elements of what are culturally viewed as masculine characteristics into their female role. Whitley in 1983 and 1985 even found that the masculine component of androgyny is responsible for the superior psychological health of androgynous females over those with traditional sex role identities. (Berk, 1991:533) Also Gender Identity Disorder in men is easier to detect and measure as they are less able to incorporate culturally defined female characteristics and clothing styles into their identity without being observed or ridiculed. For them, the prescriptions are more rigid and the deviations therefore less socially accepted.