Psychologists and physicians use the term gender identity disorder or GID to describe individuals who are one gender but identify as belonging to the other, and have significant problems dealing with the condition. This classification of what is said to be a psychiatric disorder relates to transgender identity issues and trans-sexuality among transgender groups. Those who are referred to or refer to themselves as transsexuals are most commonly in this classification.
For those who are described as having gender identity disorder, it is said that they have felt like they were the wrong gender since they were small children. This issue normally shows itself first in adolescence or in young adulthood, after it has intensified over time. Many groups of people and cultures highly disapprove of transsexual behavior and this can cause truly significant issues for the person afflicted. Problems can arise in their close relationships and with those who they must interact with on a daily basis.
Many people who are transgendered do not really see themselves as having a disorder. Some believe that they have simply been born with the wrong body or as the wrong sex. Those who are within certain transgender groups sometimes question what the norm should be for a person who is experiencing feelings of not having been born as the correct sex. Many argue that gender identity disorders are a product of social construction and are not related to the biological sex or feelings of a person at all. Over the years, there have been cures that have been reported for this disorder, but the cures have never been substantiated. There has also been the question as to whether to offer counseling to help them deal with their biological sex. It is very controversial as to whether or not an adolescent or young child should be allowed to explore their transsexual feelings. This has brought up a lot of mixed feelings, both in transgender groups and in mainstream society.
There are many individuals who do not accept those in transgender groups. This can cause issues of feeling socially withdrawn and of not knowing who they are. These problems are many times present in these individuals already because they are not confident in their own bodies. gender identity disorder is used by physicians to describe what they feel is a real illness that needs to be treated. There are physicians who specialize in treating both adults and children that feel that they are part of transgender groups.
