Individuals with this condition experience distress related to their biological sex and frequently express a desire to change it by hormonal or surgical means in simple terms, they identify themselves as belonging to the opposite gender, and behave accordingly. Gender identity disorder (GID) is a rare condition characterized by an incongruity between gender identity and biological sex. The implications of this association for further research are discussed.

Various mechanisms, such as Toxoplasma infection, reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), early childhood adversity, and links with autism spectrum disorders, may account for some of this overlap. Neurobiological research, including brain imaging and studies of finger length ratio and handedness, suggests that both these disorders are associated with altered cerebral sexual dimorphism and changes in cerebral lateralization. Conversely, patients with schizophrenia may experience alterations in gender identity and gender role perception.

Clinical evidence suggests that schizophrenia occurs in patients with GID at rates higher than in the general population and that patients with GID may have schizophrenia-like personality traits. Gender identity disorder (GID), recently renamed gender dysphoria (GD), is a rare condition characterized by an incongruity between gender identity and biological sex.

Gender dysphoria dsm 5