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No.

Transgender people – those who have a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned to them at birth – are not considered by medical authorities to have mental illness simply because they are transgender.

In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association revised its mental disorders manual and no longer listed being transgender as a mental disorder. 

“Gender identity disorder” was eliminated and replaced with “gender dysphoria.”

Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis for the distress experienced by some whose gender identity conflicts with their sex assigned at birth.

Numerous medical groups, including the World Health Organization, have stated that being trans is not a mental disorder.

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., suggested May 17 at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention that being trans is a mental illness. She said “women shouldn’t be forced to share” facilities such as bathrooms “with mentally ill men.” 

Her campaign spokesperson did not provide information to support Mace’s reference to mental illness.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic: Transgender facts
• NBC News: Being transgender no longer a 'mental disorder': APA
• American Psychiatric Association: Gender Dysphoria Diagnosis
• Wisconsin Watch: What gender-affirming care means to these Wisconsin families
• World Health Organization: Gender incongruence and transgender health in the ICD
• PolitiFact: Vivek Ramaswamy got it wrong; being trans isn’t a mental health disorder
• WisconsinEye: 2025 Republican Party of Wisconsin State Convention

Is being transgender classified as a mental illness? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.