The Transgender Iceberg: Issues Commonly Underlying Transgenderism, Transsexualism, and Gender Dysphoria

      The image below is a diagram that displays nineteen conditions which frequently accompany - and probably contribute to - feelings of gender dysphoria, and desire to identify as transgender, non-binary, and/or transsexual.

     These include previous victimization by various forms of abuse, various psychological conditions, and difficulties with socialization and communication.
     This "Transgender Iceberg" diagram is based on the "Anger Iceberg" which is used in psychological counseling in order to treat people with anger management problems. As the "Anger Iceberg" helps patients identify the emotions which are causing angry feelings and responses, the "Transgender Iceberg" is intended to help gender-questioning individuals identify previous and underlying issues which accompany - and may be contributing to - the feelings they are having about gender expression, gender roles, and their self-images.

     People who do not identify with the "gender they were assigned at birth" (or the apparent sex which was observed at birth) should take genetic tests, and read the underlying conditions listed in the diagram below - and consider whether they need treatment for any of these nineteen conditions - before making any permanent decisions regarding hormones or surgery, which could radically alter their bodies in ways that may not be fully reversible.

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Created between late September and October 24th, 2024,
and completed on April 16th, 2025.

Introduction written on April 16th, 2025.

Published on April 16th, 2025.

Image expanded and replaced on April 23rd, 2025.

Edited on April 30th, 2025.