Gender dysphoria has become a subject of gross public debate, whether it should be considered a normal part of human diversity or classified as a mental disorder. It is mainly regarded as a psychological distress that arises when the Gender identity of an individual does not align with the individual’s assigned sex at birth. The debated topic becomes vital when it comes to how society perceives gender identity and the mental health of the person born with such incongruency
The term “gender dysphoria” was first introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association, replacing the older term “gender identity disorder.” This change marked an important shift in framing a person’s gender identity and the mental disorder associated with it. Diagnoses were recalibrated, which emphasizes the distress and social stigma some individuals feel as a result of their gender
incongruence. Classifying gender nonconformity as a mental disorder has historically contributed to the social stigma and marginalization of transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
In medical and psychological contexts, classifying gender dysphoria as a disorder has its practical benefits as it lays down some structured procedures to combat the challenges. However, many clinicians advocate that labeling gender dysphoria as a disorder can reinforce stigma and mental instability. They emphasize that being transgender or gender nonconforming is not, in itself, a pathology. In their views, Gender dysphoria is not a sign of mental illness, but a natural response arising from the imbalances in Genes and chromosomes during conception and the prenatal period. Studies have shown that gender incongruence is not inherently linked to mental dysfunction, and that mental health issues among transgender people are more often caused by discrimination, lack of support, and societal pressures and not by their gender identity itself.
The World Health Organization, in 2019, took a great stance and made an update of the International Classification of Diseases ( as ICD-11). It moved “gender incongruence” out of the mental disorders chapter into a new category related to sexual health, signaling a major step toward depathologization of Gender Dysphoria. In the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), gender dysphoria is no longer classified as a mental disorder. Instead, it has been
renamed and relocated under a new category called “gender incongruence”. This change reflects a major shift in how global health organizations view gender identity and diversity around it. The change in ICD-11 also reflects current scientific understanding and the consensus among mental health professionals, researchers, about transgenders’ rights and their wellbeing as normal human condition.
It has been observed that Transgender people are more prone to suicide, with 40% rate of their population in comparison to 4% of the normal population. Studies show that when transgender individuals receive gender-affirming care and social support, rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk drop significantly. In this light, it is the denial of identity, not the identity itself, that leads to suffering. Although it has been removed from the mental disorders section, gender incongruence remains a recognized health condition. This ensures that transgender individuals can still access gender-affirming medical care, such as hormone therapy and surgeries, which often require a formal diagnosis. The new classification in ICD-11 strikes a balance between depathologization and access to mental health care.
Conclusion: Whether gender dysphoria is still a disorder or a variation of normal human behavior largely depends on how society, medical professionals, and the individual themselves perceive it. Many advocate for a perspective that validates Gender incongruency as natural and demands respect without the need for any diagnosis. By moving this to a non-psychiatric category, the ICD-11 helps challenge the notion that transgender people are mentally ill, promoting greater acceptance and respect for gender diversity. But diagnosis remains a tool for care and the mental well-being of the person with such a variation. Maintaining this balance is key to supporting individuals in both healthcare settings and broader society.
Refrences
1. Tosh, 2016. Psychology and Gender Dysphoria.
2. Dhejne, Vlerken, Heylens, Arcelus. 2017 Mental Health and Gender Dysphoria. A review of literature
3. Campo, Joost M. L., Nijman, Henk. 2016. Gender Dysphoria and Psychiatric Symptoms.
4. Davies, Robert, Madeline. 2020. The Depatholiging of Gender Incongruance.
Credit : Ayaan Gupta ( Intern Trainee of BBRFI)