DSM-5 Disorders Practice Exam 2025 - Free Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Practice Questions and Study Guide

A key characteristic of Gender Dysphoria is the belief that one is the opposite gender. This condition involves a strong and persistent identification with a different gender than the one assigned at birth. Individuals with Gender Dysphoria typically experience significant discomfort or distress due to the incongruence between their gender identity and their assigned sex. This belief often leads to a desire for social transition or medical intervention to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity.

The other options pertain to different psychological or sleep disorders rather than Gender Dysphoria. A strong desire to sleep during the day is more closely associated with sleep disorders like hypersomnia or narcolepsy. Frequent episodes of sleep terrors and episodes of walking during deep sleep are indicative of parasomnias, which are sleep disorders and do not relate to gender identity or dysphoria. Understanding the defining characteristics of Gender Dysphoria is crucial for differentiating it from other mental health concerns.