Transsexualism is a term historically used in psychiatry and psychology that defines a state in which a person feels that they are strongly and persistently identified with the opposite gender of the one he or she was born. Such identification commonly comes along with a lot of discomfort or distress about their biological sex and many individuals are thus seeking gender transformation, be it socially, medically or surgically. As an illustration, an individual born as male can declare themselves as a female and receive hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery to make their physical body conform to their perceived gender.
Transsexualism is since replaced in contemporary psychology and psychiatry by gender dysphoria in the DSM-5-TR and gender incongruence in the ICD-11. Such a change is an attempt to minimize stigmatization and focus on the fact that it is not a mental disorder to be transgender but the suffering caused by the lack of congruence and social rejection may need attention and support. Recent studies have emphasized the power of affirmation that includes acceptance, positive relationships, and the availability of proper medical or mental care to enhance the mental health of transgender individuals. The concept of transsexualism, and how it is reframed in the modern world, is key to lessening discrimination and guaranteeing individuals that they are provided with evidence-based, respectful care that will help them to be authentic.