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Gender dysphoria (GD) is often accompanied by dissatisfaction with physical appearance and body image problems. The aim of this study was to compare body satisfaction with perceived appearance by others in various GD subgroups. Data collection was part of the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence. Between 2007 and 2012, 660 adults who fulfilled the criteria of the DSM-IV gender identity disorder diagnosis (1.31:1 male-to-female [MtF]:female-to-male [FtM] ratio) were included into the study. Data were collected before the start of clinical gender-confirming interventions. Sexual orientation was measured via a semi-structured interview whereas onset age was based on clinician report. Body satisfaction was assessed using the Body Image Scale. Congruence of appearance with the experienced gender was measured by means of a clinician rating. Overall, FtMs had a more positive body image than MtFs. Besides genital dissatisfaction, problem areas for MtFs included posture, face, and hair, whereas FtMs were mainly dissatisfied with hip and chest regions. Clinicians evaluated the physical appearance to be more congruent with the experienced gender in FtMs than in MtFs. Within the MtF group, those with early onset GD and an androphilic sexual orientation had appearances more in line with their gender identity. In conclusion, body image problems in GD go beyond sex characteristics only. An incongruent physical appearance may result in more difficult psychological adaptation and in more exposure to discrimination and stigmatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Research into the relationship between gender identity disorder and psychiatric problems has shown contradictory results. Aims To investigate psychiatric problems in adults fulfilling DSM-IV-TR criteria for a diagnosis of gender identity disorder. Method Data were collected within the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (n = 305). Results In 38% of the individuals with gender identity disorder a current DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnosis was found, mainly affective disorders and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, almost 70% had a current and lifetime diagnosis. Al! four countries showed a similar prevalence, except for affective and anxiety disorders, and no difference was found between individuals with early-onset and late-onset disorder. An Axis II diagnosis was found in 15% of all individuals with gender identity disorder, which is comparable to the general population. Conclusions People with gender identity disorder show more psychiatric problems than the general population; mostly affective and anxiety problems are found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses recommendations which the World Professional Association for Transgender Health developed for a proposed revision of the diagnoses of Gender Identity Disorders and Transvestic Fetishism for the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". The role that the Transvestic Fetishism Work Group played in the development of the recommendations is discussed.

The article reports on a second set of recommendations which the board of directors of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health developed in response to proposed changes to the fifth edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". The factors that led to the second set of recommendations are discussed.

This consensus statement is an executive summary of several papers resulting from a 2009 consensus process comprising nine work groups and 37 members of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). The purpose of this group was to put forth recommendations for the upcoming revision of the DSM with respect to the Gender Identity Disorder diagnoses. The consensus process was collaborative, interdisciplinary, and evidence based. A majority (but not all) of the participants believed that a diagnosis related to Gender Identity Disorder should remain in the DSM, and many advocated changes in name, diagnostic criteria, and placement within the DSM. The proposed name is Gender Dysphoria, and the diagnostic criteria should be distress based. Placement should be outside the chapter on Sexual Disorders and possibly within Psychiatric Disorders Related to a Medical Condition. If there were to be a diagnostic category for childhood, there should also be separate categories for adults and adolescents. A Not Otherwise Specified category should be retained, and Disorders of Sex Development should not be an exclusionary criterion for Gender Dysphoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) is recognized as the leading authority in the field of transgender health, through a membership that encompasses experts in this field and transgender community representatives. WPATH therefore is in an excellent position to give input on the DSM 5 section on gender identity disorders. To streamline the ideas of the membership, the authors, all elected officers of the association, organized a consensus-building process beginning January 2009 to arrive at recommendations for removal or reform of the DSM 5 diagnoses. This article describes this process, how the various work groups were formed, and the topics covered in the work group discussions. In addition, this article reports on a face-to-face meeting held with all of the consensus participants and work groups in conjunction with the 2009 biennial conference of WPATH in Oslo, Norway, where a consensus was reached on several issues. The outcome of this face-to-face meeting was subsequently discussed during a plenary session at the conference, which many WPATH members attended. After a description of this process, we introduce the nine articles written by each of the working groups and an executive summary with a set of recommendations for the DSM 5 Work Group on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the author discusses aspects of the proposed Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for gender incongruence, called DSM 5, by the DSM 5 Work Group on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders (WGSGID), as part of the American Psychiatric Association and the Gender Identity Disorders sub-work group. Topics include an overview of the DSM 5 proposal, which addresses concerns regarding the diagnosis of gender identity disorders, and an in-depth discussion on whether or not a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Incongruence should be included in the DSM.

The article presents a position statement which the Board of Directors of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and the association's members issued in response to a proposed revision of the diagnosis of gender dysphoria contained in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5".

An introduction to the journal is presented in which the editors discusses various reports published within the issue regarding recommended changes to the diagnoses of Gender Identity Disorders (GID) by a Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) workgroup.