Psychology

It is a common thing that some members of the society tend to strongly identify themselves with other sex. These individuals are evidently seen to be discontented with their biological sex they are in. Statistical evidence has established that gender identity disorder problem is more pronounced in men than in women. It has been proved that such psychological complications intensify with age and that most signs of the disorder are clearly evident from adolescence stage.  It is however to be noted that children can also be victims of Gender Identity Disorder (Joel, 1999). Being a psychological disorder rather than a mental impairment, the treatment of such human complication mainly involves the use of physical alignment tactics including counseling to ensure that the victim comes in term with his or her true biological sex. For children, parental counseling has being found to produce remarkable results. This involves constant counseling by parents with a view of making the kids appreciate their true self.
    The author of this research paper gives a detailed discussion of gender identity disorder as an abnormal psychological problem in our human society. The author also talks in depth on the causes, diagnostic symptoms and available clinical remedy for gender identity disorder problem.
Gender Identity Disorder as a psychological problem
    Gender identity disorder can be simply defined as the failure an individual to appreciate his or her biological sex orientation. The behavior is mainly marked with the mentality of the victim wishing and thus evidently behaving like he or she was of the opposite sex. These victims tend to act and behave like members of the opposite sex, always expressing their inborn desires of changing their bodies. Such behaviors are a great discomfort in the victims social and occupational life (Stoll, Smith, 2000). It has been evidently established that gender identity disorder is one of the most profound factor that can greatly compromise the academic and socialization capabilities.
    It is here to be noted that changing of ones gender is technically impossible. It is therefore such wishes for the impossible which makes this type of psychological disorder quite complex and hard to deal with. Just like any other psychological problem, gender identity disorder is a problem that intensifies with time. This has been mainly explained based on the fact that the human mind, particularly the subconscious part can control the actions and behavior of the human person without his or her own self determined intend (Butler, 2004). It is the simple terms in the mind that stores and processes information subconsciously making the outcome of the processing seem nature to the victim. It is therefore clear that such wishes of changing gender, if instilled into the subconscious mind of the victim, could greatly intensify the gender identity disorder behavior.
Effects of gender identity disorder
    Just like other serious psychological disorders, the sense of failure to appreciate ones biological sex orientation greatly compromises the victims social and occupational life. This is first because the victim finds difficulties in associating with same sex members in the society. It is also to be realized that such behavior to associate with members of the other sex like you was one of them is quite a negation to the aim of such associations. Other characteristics of assuming other sexs responsibilities in the society are the reason behind the failure of such victims in their occupational lives (Joseph, et al, 2007).
    It is also to be noted that such behaviors are rarely appreciated in the human society. It is therefore marked with high probability that the victims of gender identity disorder could be subjected to the discriminative nature of our society. Failure to be accepted andor appreciated in the family and community in general can be seen as a possible cause of stress and depression in the victims life. It is here to be realized that depression is a great negation to ones views, hopes and expectations in life (Langevin, 1995). It could therefore be due to this reason that most of these victims lead a life of hopelessness with eminent risks of committing suicidal acts.
Prevalence of gender identity disorder in the society
It should be recognized that this type of psychological disorder is not quite common in our society. This could be the reason behind the lack of medical concerns by many in the society. However, research has found out that the problem can affect both children and adults. It has further also been established that the disorder is mainly recognized before or during the adolescence stage of the human development. This could be attributed to the fact it is during adolescence stage that the human person starts to recognize his or her gender and its associated properties and responsibilities in the society. Still to be noted here is the fact that gender identity disorder is more pronounced in men than in women (Case, 1995). Psychologists have attributed this men prevalence by the disorder to the strong mind structures found in men which are many a time marked with decisiveness in life.
Causes of gender identity disorder
    The causes of gender identity disorder have not been scientifically proved. It is however in the reasoning of many professionals that a number of natural and environmental factors could be attributed to the occurrence of this psychological problem. The first claimed possible cause of gender identity disorder is hormonal imbalance in the individuals body. It is the hormones in the body which to a bigger extend govern our bodily developments. Hormones are also quite useful in the correct functioning of the human body (Butler, 2004). It is therefore clear that such imbalances in the body hormones could easily compromise ones perception of his or her self. Still on this, mutative human developments caused by hormone irregularities can also lead to gender identity disorder. It is to note that gender identity disorder also encompasses physical biological sex organs impairments. Such ambiguous genital complications in an individual can lead to problem of gender identity.
    Another commonly thought possible cause of gender identity disorder is genes. Genes are the body elements which determine the physical and above all personality characteristics of an individual. It has therefore been rightly claimed that genetic mutation or proper functioning failure could be a major source of gender identity disorder. Still to be noted is that genes are transferred from parent to kids. It is thus possible for a child to become a victim of gender identity disorder if he or she is born of a victim of the disorder (Case, 1995). Numerous scientific research findings have shown that malfunctioning of the genetic structures of the human body is a major reason behind the many undesirable characteristics evident in some individuals of our human community. It is based on this reasoning that genes have been found to be major possible cause of gender identity disorder.
    Still to note is the fact that the environment that surrounds a kid factors most in shaping his or her attitude and thus character in future life. In particular, it has been evidently claimed that the parents are the most influential elements of a kid especially at the early stages of development. It is thus based on such attributes of behavior on the individual coming from the influence of external factors that gender identity disorder occurrence can be associated with effects of the surrounding environment. This is the reason why parents are encouraged to create an environment that is exclusively reflective of all aspects of their kids life. Just to be noted here is the common practice by kids to manage their anxiety and anger by assuming the responsibilities of their opposite sex parent (Stoll, Smith, 2000). This is mainly triggered by unavailability of these parents at the kids time of need. Such practices by the kid, if allowed to continue for long time can become a habit thus risking having gender identity disorder.
Characteristics of gender identity disorder
    The characteristics of gender identity disorder are varied from one victim to another. It is however to be noted that they are all marked with the eminent desire by the individuals to be like members of the opposite sex. Such victims find it uncomfortable living with their same sex counterparts in the society and are many a times out to be seen in the public as being of the other sex. Cross dressing behavior is the most profound characteristic that is marked in all gender identity disorder victims. It is to be realized that severe cases of gender identity disorder are generally marked with the victims determination to undergo a gender change surgical operation.
It is a common practice for male victims to wear female dresses. Such victims are evidently found to avoid competitive activities like hard work and highly involving in sporting activities. Boys are also seen to like in associating with girls and enjoy portraying a female or motherly figure in their day to day involvements. Girls on the other side tend to be like men in all aspects from dressing codes to social associations in the community (Aaltio, Mills, 2002). It is however to be noted that gender identity disorder might be a natural occurrence in the life of the individual. Such might include natural growth of breasts for boys as well as evidence of sex organ impairment. Failure to develop ones gender, given characteristics during the individual development process can thus be used as a reason to qualify gender identity disorder in the victim.
Diagnosis of gender identity disorder
    The medical process of qualifying gender identity disorder in an individual mainly involves a doctors analysis of the victims history. From the understanding of gender identity disorder, it is clear that this is more of a psychological problem rather than a mental or physical illness. It is due to this reason that the process of diagnosing gender identity disorder does not involve the use of laboratory tests. It is only from analysis of the patients past behavior coupled with a critical evaluation of the patients self-proclaimed wishes in life that the doctor can ascertain of the disorder in the patient. This is because these types of patients are evidently open in claiming discomfort with their biological sex orientation (Feable, 1995). It is also evident that although the sex characteristics of these victims are normal, they usually tend to hide them from the public as a way of realizing their desire to be seen as members of the other sex.
    It is however true that some of the characteristics of gender identity disorder might by arising from physical illnesses on the patient. This is the reason why laboratory tests should not be overlooked in the process of qualifying and thus enabling the sustainable treatment of psychological disorders. Such tests are usually taken as a physical diagnosis measure of the disorder.
Treatment of gender identity disorder
    There is no medicine for treating gender identity disorder. It is only through psychological therapy that the disorder can be addressed. Therefore, due to this reason, it has been advised that early invention of the problem can easily mitigate chances of having the problem in the future life of the individual. It is in fact by such early interventions that most victims are found to have lower transsexual behavior in their future. Since such a disorder is common from childhood for many victims, it has been established that parental concern and counseling can greatly reduce its impact in the kids life (Langevin, 1995).
    Due to the fact that there could hormone malfunctioning in the human body, most cases of serious gender identity disorder can be remedied through the administering of hormonal therapy to the victim. Such therapies are mainly aimed at suppressing the other sex characteristics which are highly responsible for the disorder. It is also to be noted here that any physical illness that could be found to impact on the condition also be treated appropriately. It is only by doing this that sustainable management of the disorder can be realized.
    It is however to be noted that following our scientific and technological advancement, it is possible to conduct a sex-change surgery on a patient. Indeed also, such operations are mainly taken as the end results after failure of all other methods of gender identity disorder treatments. Such an act usually involves along time of hormonal therapy this time seeking to suppress same sex characteristics while enhancing those of the other sex (Joel, 1999). All these are made to increase the chance of the victims acceptability in the society after the surgical operation.
Conclusion
    It has been clearly found out that gender identity disorder is a real threat to ones ability to enjoy his or her entire life as it is marked with many wishes for the otherwise impossible. It is this type of psychological disorder that is responsible for the lowering social status and occupational life of an individual in the society. This implies that every step should be taken by all parties involved to help in ensuring that these victims are given the necessary treatment to enable them enjoy their God given gift of life.
    The society and its discriminative culture is a major drawback to the harmonious coexistence with these victims in the society. It should be realized that being human just as others, victims of gender identity disorder should be showed love and appreciation in the community.