Fact Check: Is being transgender a mental disorder in kids?

Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Aditi Gangal

Quick Take 

In a widely circulated social media video, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy made a clear statement during his appearance at the second Republican presidential primary debate, asserting that transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder. We fact-checked and found the claim made to be False.

The Claim

A video on X, formerly Twitter is doing rounds in which Onstage at the second Republican presidential primary debate, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy said he wanted to be “very clear”: “Transgenderism, especially in kids, is a mental health disorder.”

Fact Check

What is transgenderism?

Transgenderism refers to the experience of individuals whose gender identity doesn’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It involves a person’s deep-seated sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, which may not match their physical characteristics. Transgender individuals may pursue various steps, such as hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries, to align their bodies with their gender identity. It’s important to respect and support transgender people, using their preferred pronouns and acknowledging their gender identity.

What is gender dysphoria?

Gender dysphoria is a term used in psychology and healthcare to describe the distress or discomfort that some individuals may experience when their gender identity (how they feel and identify themselves in terms of being a man, woman, or another gender) doesn’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth. This disconnect between their internal sense of self and their physical characteristics can cause emotional and psychological distress. 

Children and adolescents who experience gender dysphoria may feel distressed or anxious about their gender identity. They may also have difficulty accepting their assigned sex or expressing their gender identity in a way that feels authentic to them.

It is important to note that gender dysphoria is not the same as being transgender. Not all transgender people experience gender dysphoria, and not all people who experience gender dysphoria are transgender.

There is no consensus on the causes of gender dysphoria. Some experts believe that it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Others believe that it is caused by a neurological difference in the brain.

Is being transgender a mental disorder in kids?

No. Being transgender is not a mental disorder in kids. We discovered several social media posts where Ramaswamy frequently shared his opinions on this topic in the past. However, the medical community holds a different perspective. Being transgender is now not categorized as a mental illness.

In the past, the term ‘disorder’ was historically associated with the experience of being transgender. However, experts have evolved their understanding and are actively working to remove stigma while ensuring access to gender-affirming healthcare.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) updated its International Classification of Diseases, renaming the diagnosis from transsexualism to gender incongruence and relocating it from the mental health disorders section to a new section called conditions related to sexual health.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA). In 2013, the APA removed gender identity disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the standard reference book for the classification of mental disorders.

The DSM-5 now classifies gender dysphoria as a condition that can occur in children and adolescents. When this manual was revised, the term ‘gender identity disorder’ was changed to ‘gender dysphoria’ to emphasize that being transgender is not an illness.

Just like being transgender, being part of the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole is not connected to mental disorders. This also means that being gay or lesbian is not a neurological disorder.

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