This article discusses the theory of rapid-onset gender dysphoria.
It explains the initial study, its controversy, and why it was edited after publication.
It also looks at recent studies published in the aftermath and where the theory stands today.
Adam Hester / Getty Images
What Is Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria?
Rapid-onset gender dysphoria is a theoretical new subtype of gender dysphoria.
Rapid onset means it appears suddenly.
It is not a recognized diagnosis but a controversial research theory.
It is associated with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Signs of gender dysphoria can be present in childhood or may not appear until after puberty.
WPATH emphasized the term Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria (ROGD) is not recognized by any major professional association.
The conservative news coverage of the study was denounced for centering the story on parents instead of transgender individuals.
Many gender-diverse youths actively seek out other gender-diverse youth as friends or support.
The post-publication reassessment involved senior members of the journals editorial team and external reviewers.
It identified several issues to address to meet the journal’s publication criteria.
The revised study was published in 2019 with the following changes:
What Is Gender Incongruence?
Gender incongruence is another term for gender dysphoria.
The 2022 update to the ICD-11 replaced outdated terms like transsexualism and gender identity disorder with gender incongruence.
Conflicting Research
The publication of the 2018PLOS Onestudy prompted further research into so-called rapid-onset gender dysphoria.
However, the research failed to replicate the claims.
Trans Youth CAN!
In most cases, it takes several years between self-identifying as another gender and telling others.
Summary
Rapid-onset gender dysphoria is a research hypothesis and not a diagnosis.
The theory attributes the rise in transgender teens to social contagion and suppressed sexual or gender trauma.
Problems with the study’s methodology and bias resulted in a post-publication review and editing of the original study.
More recent research casts further doubt on the rapid-onset theory.
2018;13(8):e0202330.
2019;14(3):e0212578.
2023;72(6):8529. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.01.023
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.Gender dysphoria.
Wadman M.‘Rapid onset’ of transgender identity ignites storm.Science.
September 4, 2018.
Political Research Associates.Anti-LGBTQ media outlets peddle myths about autism and trans identity.
2019;14(3):e0214157.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0214157
Bauer GR, Lawson ML, Metzger DL; Trans Youth CAN!
