Abstract
History is replete with accounts of individuals who consider themselves a different gender from which their external genitalia indicates. In some societies, these individuals were revered and granted shamanic duties. In others, individuals with gender incongruence have been the subject of scorn if not downright brutality. In this chapter, we review the considerable controversy surrounding the classification and treatment of gender identity disorder (soon to become known as gender incongruence). We also review the literature regarding how gender identity is assessed, specific strategies for intervention, and proposed criteria for the upcoming DSM-V due out in 2013. Above all, we argue for an element of grace and a balance between scientific evaluation and social responsibility.
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Dombrowski, S.C., Gischlar, K.L., Mrazik, M. (2011). Gender Identity Disorder. In: Assessing and Treating Low Incidence/High Severity Psychological Disorders of Childhood. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9970-2_3
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