From 55 children diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2012 – to 439 children with gender dysphoria last year.
Among people with the diagnosis, other psychiatric diagnoses such as autism, depression and anxiety disorders are common, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Fredrik Lundkvist, child psychiatrist in Stockholm, thinks this is problematic.
"Many people have long-term suffering in the form of anxiety and a feeling of alienation before they begin to identify as transgender. We have to start taking that seriously," he says.
Draws parallels to the apathetic children
Christofer Gillberg, professor of child psychiatry and world-leading expert on autism, says that gender dysphoria was exceptionally rare before 2013.
"That in itself should make you ask yourself why this is happening," he says.
He draws parallels to the apathetic children, that is, the refugee children with resignation syndrome that were influential in Swedish social debate in the 00s.
"Suddenly, it becomes hugely widespread and everyone starts talking about gender dysphoria. How could we go from being cautious to opening a pond and unleashing this type of treatment without there really being any scientific support," says Christofer Gillberg.
Here you can watch the documentary series "The Trans War – what if you are wrong".