Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Psychiatric characteristics in transsexual individuals: multicentre study in four European countries
Gunter Heylens1, Els Elaut, Baudewijntje P C Kreukels
1Gunter Heylens, MD, Els Elaut, MSc, Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium; Baudewijntje P. C. Kreukels, PhD, Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Muirne C. S. Paap, PhD, Department of Research Methodology, Measurement and Data Analysis, Behavioural Sciences, Susanne Cerwenka, Mr.Sc, Hertha Richter-Appelt, PhD, Department of Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany; Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis, PhD, Department of Medical Psychology, VU University Hospital Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Ira R. Haraldsen, MD, PhD, Department of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Rikshospitalet Oslo, Norway; Griet De Cuypere, MD, PhD, Department of Sexology and Gender Problems, University Hospital Ghent, Belgium.
Background:
Research into the relationship between gender identity disorder and psychiatric problems has shown contradictory results.
Aims:
To investigate psychiatric problems in adults fulfilling DSM-IV-TR criteria for a diagnosis of gender identity disorder.
Method:
Data were collected within the European Network for the Investigation of Gender Incongruence using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview - Plus and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (n = 305).
Results:
In 38% of the individuals with gender identity disorder a current DSM-IV-TR Axis I diagnosis was found, mainly affective disorders and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, almost 70% had a current and lifetime diagnosis. All four countries showed a similar prevalence, except for affective and anxiety disorders, and no difference was found between individuals with early-onset and late-onset disorder. An Axis II diagnosis was found in 15% of all individuals with gender identity disorder, which is comparable to the general population.
Conclusions:
People with gender identity disorder show more psychiatric problems than the general population; mostly affective and anxiety problems are found.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
01:29Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
01:43Sex Linked Disorders
01:22Self-Report Tests of Personality
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder