The concept of gender identity disorder has developed rapidly since the 1950s. Recently, gender identity disorder has drawn attention in the medical field as well as in society. To elucidate issues associated with individuals with gender identity disorder, we examined the demographic background, and medical and social problems in outpatients of the Gender Clinic of the Neuropsychiatry Department at Nagasaki University Hospital from January 1, 2003 to February 28, 2005. Of 27 individuals observed during this period, 3 were diagnosed with gender dysphoric syndrome, and the remaining 24 were diagnosed with gender identity disorder according to the ICD-10. Patients of female to male (FtM) and of male to female (MtF) were 15 and 9, respectively. Women in their twenties comprised 50% of the study subjects and about 30% of the study subjects were from outside Nagasaki prefecture. The subjects showed an active attitude to receiving therapy for solving their problems. Many subjects had disclosed their problems to family members and friends on the occasion of important life events such as graduation from high school or a birthday. Feelings of gender dysphoria were frequently experienced from infancy, and in MtF these feelings were occasionally first experienced in adolescence. Obstacles to social adjustment were more frequently observed in MtF than in FtM. The results of the present study suggest the need for early diagnosis and early intervention to immediately reduce unnecessary suffering and to increase the likelihood of improving quality of life.