Question

If someone's ability to function is impaired because of extreme discomfort with his or her assigned gender, they may be diagnosed with:

1) Gender dysphoria
2) Gender identity disorder
3) Gender nonconformity
4) Gender incongruence

Answer 1

Gender dysphoria is a diagnostic category in the DSM-5 that describes individuals who do not identify with the gender associated with their biological sex. The World Health Organization has reclassified it as gender incongruence.

Step-by-step explanation:

When individuals do not feel comfortable identifying with the gender associated with their biological sex, then they may experience gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a diagnostic category in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that describes individuals who do not identify as the gender that most people would assume they are. This dysphoria must persist for at least six months and result in significant distress or dysfunction to meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria.

In 2019, the World Health Organization reclassified "gender identity disorder" as "gender incongruence" and categorized it under sexual health rather than a mental disorder. However, health and mental health professionals indicate that the presence of the diagnostic category does assist in supporting those who need treatment or help.