The revision of gender identitiy disorder: DSM-5 principles and progress

The authors discuss the process that the American Psychiatric Association and its task force, workgroups, and subworkgroup on Gender Identity Disorder (GID) have proceeded with in order to explore the scientific data supporting, refuting, and suggesting change in the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder in Adults, Children, and Adolescents in preparation for the publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Discussion includes how the subworkgroup has begun a process of inquiry into the matter with attention to the varieties of positions from around the world, in different organizations, among individuals of different identities, races, ethnicities, genders or gender identities, and different relationships to the issue. How this group has then proceeded with reviews of the literature, consultation with various experts, and the development of a consensus is detailed. The complexities of this type of undertaking are elucidated.