New onset gender dysphoria in bipolar affective disorder - A case series

Abstract

Gender confusion in the context of mania is very less frequently described in the literature. The actuality of a primary psychiatric condition in gender identity complaint has significant bearing on the applicable operation and prognostic. This case series describes cases of bipolar affective complaint presenting in a manic occasion whose mania was marked by hypersexuality and the desire to be of opposite gender. Both of these symptoms resolved with treatment of the manic occasion. Case 1 describes a 17-year-old male presenting with an episodic illness, with current manic episode. He is currently interested in boys and has started enjoying feminine activities. Upon treatment, his symptoms showed improvement. Case 2 describes a 22-year-old gay male, with a total duration of 7 years, current episode mania. Now, he is considering himself a lesbian and feels he is mentally a modern female. After 4 months of treatment, there was significant improvement in his complaints and he stopped cross-dressing as a female. Case 3 shows a 21-year-old female, with manic episode. After 1 month, the patient began acting and speaking more like a boy. The patient has shown improvement while taking lithium 900 mg, divalproex sodium 1000 mg, risperidone 6 mg, and chlorpromazine 150 mg. Gender dysphoria occurring along with a psychotic episode and resolving with management of the primary psychiatric disorder are rarely recorded. The central issue in similar cases is a proper workup and diagnosis. Psychiatrists should be aware of this scenario so that proper treatment strategies for gender incongruence can be planned and not be brushed aside as “just another symptom.”