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What Causes Gender Identity Disorder?

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Posted on Tue, 18 Nov 2014
Question: Hi, My question Is more a query and I do not expect an exact answer. I am a single man in my early 60's . I am very attracted to the female form. I have no long term relationship. Over 40 years ago I was dating a woman . One evening during a little difference of opinion she said to me " you are not a man at all". Today I look back at that with a bit of amusement. I have a growing awareness that maybe she was not far wrong. I just love wearing the skirt and the attire that goes with it. I am a very emotional person. When I dance to music I feel like a woman dancing to it , and my dance is very feminine. I am of the growing realization that I may be of a Transgender nature. What would be your guarded opinion with the little you know of me.??. I always wear a female panties, panty girdle , net stockings etc . I feel wonderful . Last month on going into a department store. I went through the men's department . Boring , When I went into the women's department , my spirits just soared. I felt in cloud nine. I went to examine the skirts , panties , bras etc. I just felt great. This was all accidental .What do you think
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
you have gender dysphoria likely

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

First of all I appreciate your courage to narrate your situation.

From your brief history I guess you may have GID - gender identity disorder(gender dysphoria).Person having this problem does not like the sex assigned to him at birth and enjoy the feeling of being of opposite sex. Depending upon sexual characteristics development, GID may be biological, psychological or both.

In your case you really enjoy being a female behaviorally suggestive of GID. This had been mostly started in your young age as before 40 years some female commented on that.In this type of situation person who has such problem is not in distress due to gender distraction but more in distress due to social and cultural aspects of the same. Laws for considering it acceptable or not depends upon country's legislature.

Sexual orientation in such persons are varying. He may be heterosexual, Bisexual or homosexual.

In my opinion if you are comfortable with your situation socially and emotionally and nothing is bothering/pressuring you to stop this you can continue the same.

In case if you have any discomfort, late me know.

I would like to know something from you if we want to discuss more and to confirm the diagnosis.
Do you wear female clothes daily full time and behave in same manner at all places?
Is there any surgery you undergone to look like female?
If you can tell about sexual orientation,sexual history , marital history,occupation and relations with family and friends, I can give some more comments.
If feasible also send me photographs.

Hope I have given my clear professional opinion on your query. I will be happy to comment further.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (10 hours later)
Thank you for your answer.
1.I of course am terrified of the implications of this answer , even though I am glad that I am beginning to get confirmation of it.
2.I live in a very conservative rural environment (lovely to live in) .So I will be very careful to very gradually express and explore my condition.
3.I went to the doctors surgery today to get my bloods tested for cholesterol, psa and test . You see my testosterone levels were very low a few years ago , and I also had to be circumcised . So I am on a testosterone gel at the moment and Cialis for erections.
4.Funny thing , the testosterone is reawakening my desire and attractiveness for women and I love the feeling of a hard erection when I wake up in the morning. The desire to wear a skirt like a pleated skirt or flippy etc is getting even stronger , actually to be unbelievable strong.
5.About fifteen years ago I went to Morocco on a trip. we went into a store with beautiful women's dresses. My heart started beating when I saw them .I just had to buy two of them. When I came home I felt horrified and shocked . I gave them to my sister using the lie that I got them for a girlfriend , who broke up with me.
6.I unfortunately come from a family with a lot of disagreement. Some family members do not talk to me and visa and versa. I have no close friends.
7.I always have a feeling of pressure on me. I always thought this was a psychological thing or some trauma. But now I am beginning to wonder.
8.I am a teacher and it would be impossible to go to school in a skirt. Unfortunately even the girls in our school are not allowed to wear skirts now , because no matter what the authorities requested of them , they began to wear the skirts shorter and shorter. To be honest they were ridiculous for school. All right for a disco but not for school.
9.I will try to get some photographs of me in a skirt over the next few weeks and I will send a few on to you.
10.Today was a great step for me. Actually , going to the doctor's surgery with my pleated tartan skirt, netted stockings , socks and flashes.

Regards. XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
see detail answer please

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for info. You have mentioned detail very well. I read it carefully. I can now say that you are suffering from initial stage of GID.

I can understand the situation you are facing. You are at the point where two options are there.

One is to revert back to being a complete man, if you think it is not practically, socially and legally to change the gender at this point. For that you can take help of a psychiatrist who can help you with counselling sessions and if needed with medicine to fight with your inner turbulence of gender dysphoria.

Second is to move forward to live as a female if you feel, you will be happy with that. If you want to change some physique of body, surgery and hormonal supplements may be needed. In this scenario a team of doctors including psychiatrist, plastic surgeon and physician/surgeon/endocrinologist can help.

I am not aware about what can be done legally according to Ireland’s laws, you can ask to local doctor there.

I can understand that whatever the option you will choose, path is not easy. You have to move forward with patience, courage, determination and motivation in which a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist can help a lot.So do not hesitate to express your self to who so ever your treating doctor.

I will be glad to respond any query if it is there.

All the best.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (34 minutes later)
Dear Dr XXXXXXX

Thanks very much for your reply. I do not think going back is an option. I will move forward towards the female gender carefully and thrust in Diving XXXXXXX to do the right thing.


I am acquiring such a stage of inner peace , which is just addictive. I feel I am a strong current going in one direction only. Two years ago , I would not have the courage to wear a skirt in public. But my neighbours are getting used to me now.

If it is my destiny to transition to the female gender then so be it. I would go to England to visit a transgender therapist , and consider hormone therapy and later SRS.

I will thread carefully and listen to my heart.

Thanks very much.

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Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (9 minutes later)
Sorry about the abrupt ending . I touched the wrong button in my computer. I wish my name to be removed from the correspondence as in the off chance any person in my area would see it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Good decision and wish you inner peace and success

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

It is really good that you have taken decision. You are listening your heart that is an important aspect.I really appreciate your courage and decision.Keep moving firmly.As time will go, people will accept the situation.

Your confidentiality will be maintained. I am requesting the moderator(who is link between us and handle the site) to remove your name as well as any data which can reveal your identity from our communication records.

Nice to talk you.In future if any query you are welcome to contact us or even you can contact me directly: http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki

best of luck,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Chintan Solanki

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 2406 Questions

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What Causes Gender Identity Disorder?

Brief Answer: you have gender dysphoria likely Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. First of all I appreciate your courage to narrate your situation. From your brief history I guess you may have GID - gender identity disorder(gender dysphoria).Person having this problem does not like the sex assigned to him at birth and enjoy the feeling of being of opposite sex. Depending upon sexual characteristics development, GID may be biological, psychological or both. In your case you really enjoy being a female behaviorally suggestive of GID. This had been mostly started in your young age as before 40 years some female commented on that.In this type of situation person who has such problem is not in distress due to gender distraction but more in distress due to social and cultural aspects of the same. Laws for considering it acceptable or not depends upon country's legislature. Sexual orientation in such persons are varying. He may be heterosexual, Bisexual or homosexual. In my opinion if you are comfortable with your situation socially and emotionally and nothing is bothering/pressuring you to stop this you can continue the same. In case if you have any discomfort, late me know. I would like to know something from you if we want to discuss more and to confirm the diagnosis. Do you wear female clothes daily full time and behave in same manner at all places? Is there any surgery you undergone to look like female? If you can tell about sexual orientation,sexual history , marital history,occupation and relations with family and friends, I can give some more comments. If feasible also send me photographs. Hope I have given my clear professional opinion on your query. I will be happy to comment further. Regards, Dr.Chintan Solanki.