The diagnoses of gender identity disorder is not given to intersex individuals (those born with "ambiguous" genitalia). Additionally, as with all psychological disorders, these symptoms must cause direct distress and an impairment of functioning of the individual exhibiting the symptoms. F64.2 Gender identity disorder of childhood: A disorder, usually first manifest during early childhood (and always well before puberty), characterized by a persistent and intense distress about assigned sex, together with a desire to be (or insistence that one is) of the other sex. There is a persistent preoccupation with the dress and activities of the opposite sex and repudiation of the individuals own sex. The diagnosis requires a profound disturbance of the normal gender identity; mere tomboyishness in girls or girlish behavior in boys is not sufficient. Gender identity disorders in individuals who have reached or are entering puberty should not be classified here but in F66.0. The ICD-11 significantly revises classification of gender identity-related conditions.
Prevalence
According to a review published in 2020 relying on recent statistical surveys, 1.2% to 2.7% of children and adolescents identify as transgender. The data was drawn more from studies of adolescents than pre-pubertal youth and noted a difference in methodological quality between studies published before and after 2010. The review notes rising numbers of youth are self-identifying as trans and calls for more systematic studies and reviews in future. Management
The WPATH Standards of Care and other therapeutic interventions do not seek to change a childs gender identity. Instead, clinicians advise children and their parents to avoid goals based on gender identity and to instead cope with the childs distress by embracing psychoeducation and to be supportive of their gender variant identity and behavior as it develops. A clinician may suggest that the parent be attentive, listen, and encourage an environment for the child to explore and express their identified gender identity, which may be termed the true gender. This can remove the stigma associated with their dysphoria, as well as the pressure to conform to a gender identity or role they do not identify with, which may be termed the false gender self. WPATH Standards of Care also recommend assessing and treating any co-existing mental health issues.