What is the main feature of gender dysphoria?

The primary feature of gender dysphoria is the marked distress and discomfort concerning one's assigned gender. Individuals experiencing gender dysphoria often feel a strong incongruence between their experienced or expressed gender and their assigned gender at birth, leading to significant emotional distress. This distress can manifest in various ways, including anxiety, depression, or a profound discomfort with one’s body or societal gender roles that do not align with their gender identity.

While there may be a desire to engage in non-traditional gender roles, this alone does not encapsulate the essence of gender dysphoria. Acceptance of societal gender norms and contentment with one’s assigned gender are also contrary to the experience of someone dealing with gender dysphoria, as these would typically not be associated with the distress that characterizes the condition. The focus on the distress aspect is crucial in recognizing and diagnosing gender dysphoria within the framework of the DSM-5-TR.