8 ms·

Most (some would say all) transgender individuals suffer from gender dysphoria. In short, whenever we are reminded that our body is not like the image in our mi

Most (some would say all) transgender individuals suffer from gender dysphoria. In short, whenever we are reminded that our body is not like the image in our mind's eye it feels a bit like having a panic attack, being home sick & heart broken at the same time. The last thing you want to happen is people to actually know that you are transgender, much less misgender you. The transitioning body is not the gender's present in your mind's eye, it is the result of having lived through the wrong puberty. Being made aware of the fact that you are transgender often triggers dysphoria. Ever heard your voice in a recording and thought "Oh, that's not my voice -- it's just wrong. Must be the recording." and then felt a strong dislike towards that recording? Perhaps a bit of pain or cringe. Well, that's what a lot of transgender individuals experience daily when looking at their own bodies, hearing their own voice, seeing their image in the mirror, looking down at your own hands, etc.

SlowRobotAhead 7y ago
That's a really interesting description, thanks. It seems like a very difficult condition and a constant source of anxiety. I struggle to think this is something anyone would choose for themselves. It makes me very worried for the three year old I know who's mother insists he/she is transgender. That this shouldn't be a trendy thing - but a serious struggle.
- Raphmedia 7y ago
  One can choose whether they want to begin a social & hormonal transition but they cannot choose to not have the genetic and biological factors that are at play[1]. I doubt anyone take the decisions lightly. It is a huge burden on your life. In my case, I have decided to transition after 25 years of successfully living as a male. The burden of not transitioning was compounding with interest and I felt as if waiting any more would result in me being a toxic person both to myself and those surrounding me. Everyone has different factors at play. Personally, I had different hormonal levels than that of a regular male and had some female features as a child (testosterone bulldozes over those during puberty). I have also been told that my body processes estrogen slightly differently than the majority of males. Three years old is indeed the age where gender identity starts to appear in children. It could be possible that the mother is telling the truth but one cannot say without an actual health professional's advice. It is normal for a child to experience different gender identities at that age since the brain is still forming. Usually the identity begins to solidify around five. In the case that this identity cause distress in the child (attempting to mutilate themselves, depressive episodes, etc.), they should see a therapist. If there is a diagnostic of gender dysphoria which increase as their body develop, they might choose to use puberty blockers at the start of adolescence to stop the body from going through a puberty that increases this distress. It gives the child and therapist more time to go through those issues. Blockers can be stopped and a regular puberty would occur (with some possible health issue, so you shouldn't prescribe those unless the child is actually suffering). Should the feelings of distress and gender non-conformity still be present, discussion of an actual transition begin around sixteen years old. Children who transition from that path have the chance of not having lived the an extra puberty. It makes their transition easier and makes it less hard for the person to blend in as their actual gender. This avoid a lot of issues which adult transitioner have to struggle with their entire lives and will save on costs (facial feminization surgery, body feminization surgery, voice surgeries, etc.). [1] A starting point for more information about this could be: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender#Scientific_studies_of_transsexuality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender#Scientific_studies...
  - SlowRobotAhead 7y ago
    >If there is a diagnostic of gender dysphoria which increase as their body develop, they might choose to use puberty blockers at the start of adolescence to stop the body from going through a puberty that increases this distress. Interesting position that we're in as a society where you can't be trusted to make decisions about almost anything thing until you're 18 but would allow a child and help them stunt/alter their physiological growth process because the they insist this is the correct thing for them. Right or wrong, mental illness or suffering or natural variance aside, it's an tough problem of doing the right thing for the child.
    - nissimk 7y ago
      I used to think like that and then I learned that suicide rate is extremely high among young people with gender dysphoria and these medicines are known to reduce that risk.
      - DuskStar 7y ago
        > and these medicines are known to reduce that risk I'd known the first, but I've seen very few sources for actual studies on this. Do you happen to know of any? Even a 5 year study of people transitioning vs people denied the ability to transition would be greatly appreciated. There's a lot of people out there saying that transitioning doesn't lower lifetime suicide risks and I'd love something to push back on that.
        nissimk 7y ago
        The population is small and more studies are needed. I found this: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2014-0015 https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2014-... Unfortunately the suicide risk is still very high even for post transition trans population.
        DuskStar 7y ago
        So I'm unfortunately unable to access that paper - well, without paying $32 which is a bit steep - but does it have anything on the difference between people who transitioned and ones who did not? That's what matters after all, not the base rates. (Base rates being high tells us we really need to find a treatment, but it doesn't tell us what that treatment might be)
stallmanite 7y ago
This is excellent writing. Thanks for articulating this.

SlowRobotAhead 7y ago

That's a really interesting description, thanks. It seems like a very difficult condition and a constant source of anxiety. I struggle to think this is something anyone would choose for themselves. It makes me very worried for the three year old I know who's mother insists he/she is transgender. That this shouldn't be a trendy thing - but a serious struggle.

Raphmedia 7y ago
One can choose whether they want to begin a social & hormonal transition but they cannot choose to not have the genetic and biological factors that are at play[1]. I doubt anyone take the decisions lightly. It is a huge burden on your life. In my case, I have decided to transition after 25 years of successfully living as a male. The burden of not transitioning was compounding with interest and I felt as if waiting any more would result in me being a toxic person both to myself and those surrounding me. Everyone has different factors at play. Personally, I had different hormonal levels than that of a regular male and had some female features as a child (testosterone bulldozes over those during puberty). I have also been told that my body processes estrogen slightly differently than the majority of males. Three years old is indeed the age where gender identity starts to appear in children. It could be possible that the mother is telling the truth but one cannot say without an actual health professional's advice. It is normal for a child to experience different gender identities at that age since the brain is still forming. Usually the identity begins to solidify around five. In the case that this identity cause distress in the child (attempting to mutilate themselves, depressive episodes, etc.), they should see a therapist. If there is a diagnostic of gender dysphoria which increase as their body develop, they might choose to use puberty blockers at the start of adolescence to stop the body from going through a puberty that increases this distress. It gives the child and therapist more time to go through those issues. Blockers can be stopped and a regular puberty would occur (with some possible health issue, so you shouldn't prescribe those unless the child is actually suffering). Should the feelings of distress and gender non-conformity still be present, discussion of an actual transition begin around sixteen years old. Children who transition from that path have the chance of not having lived the an extra puberty. It makes their transition easier and makes it less hard for the person to blend in as their actual gender. This avoid a lot of issues which adult transitioner have to struggle with their entire lives and will save on costs (facial feminization surgery, body feminization surgery, voice surgeries, etc.). [1] A starting point for more information about this could be: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender#Scientific_studies_of_transsexuality https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender#Scientific_studies...
- SlowRobotAhead 7y ago
  >If there is a diagnostic of gender dysphoria which increase as their body develop, they might choose to use puberty blockers at the start of adolescence to stop the body from going through a puberty that increases this distress. Interesting position that we're in as a society where you can't be trusted to make decisions about almost anything thing until you're 18 but would allow a child and help them stunt/alter their physiological growth process because the they insist this is the correct thing for them. Right or wrong, mental illness or suffering or natural variance aside, it's an tough problem of doing the right thing for the child.
  - nissimk 7y ago
    I used to think like that and then I learned that suicide rate is extremely high among young people with gender dysphoria and these medicines are known to reduce that risk.
    - DuskStar 7y ago
      > and these medicines are known to reduce that risk I'd known the first, but I've seen very few sources for actual studies on this. Do you happen to know of any? Even a 5 year study of people transitioning vs people denied the ability to transition would be greatly appreciated. There's a lot of people out there saying that transitioning doesn't lower lifetime suicide risks and I'd love something to push back on that.
      - nissimk 7y ago
        The population is small and more studies are needed. I found this: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2014-0015 https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/MHRJ-05-2014-... Unfortunately the suicide risk is still very high even for post transition trans population.
        DuskStar 7y ago
        So I'm unfortunately unable to access that paper - well, without paying $32 which is a bit steep - but does it have anything on the difference between people who transitioned and ones who did not? That's what matters after all, not the base rates. (Base rates being high tells us we really need to find a treatment, but it doesn't tell us what that treatment might be)

stallmanite 7y ago

This is excellent writing. Thanks for articulating this.