PERSONALITY-TRAITS AND DISORDERS AMONG TRANSSEXUALS

A group of transsexuals, 9 biological men and 10 women, was assessed a ccording to clinical DSM-III-R diagnosis and a self-report instrument for Axis II diagnoses based on the Structured Clinical Interview for D SM-III-R (SCID screen). A control group of 133 individuals was assesse d by the same instrument. Combined with a functional criterion accordi ng to the Global Assessment of Functioning, the SCID screen showed goo d agreement with clinical Axis II diagnoses. The overall proportion of Axis II criteria fulfilled, proportion of criteria fulfilled for ever y single personality disorder and number of personality disorders were calculated from the modified version of the SCID screen. Personality disorders, mainly within cluster B, were identified among 5 of 19 tran ssexuals, and a majority had multiple personality disorders. Among con trols, no personality disorder was identified. Personality traits as m easured by the SCID screen revealed significantly more subthreshold pa thology among transsexuals than controls in 8 of 12 personality catego ries. The proportion of overall Axis II criteria fulfilled was 29% amo ng transsexuals versus 17% among controls. Sex differences among trans sexuals, the usefulness of the SCID screen and diagnostic problems in DSM-III-R with respect to gender identity disorders are discussed.