Transgender 101

Gender Dysphoria

• Basic Definitions
• Medical
  • Terminology
  • Hormones
  • SRS
  • Hair Removal
  • Research
• Psychological
  • Standards of Care
  • Guilt/Shame/Regret
  • Depression
  • Fear/Humiliation
  • Joy
  • Family Issues
  • Gender Dysphoria
• Political
  • Protections
  • Discrimination
  • Hate Crimes
  • Marriage
• Hormones
  • Estrogen
  • Testosterone
• How
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Corrections, or Suggestions?

     Gender Dysphoria is a stage in the transgender spectrum as well as an emotion experienced. We've already defined gender in previous sections, but dysphoria means "difficult to bear" or "a state of feeling unwell or unhappy". In short, it just means discomfort in gender. That definition may fall short on describing what gender dysphoria is truly like.

     Dysphoria can easily be a source for depression and suicidal thoughts. It's the driving force to find a resolution to the gender identity and genetic sex conflict. It can be described as a strong emotional pain that sometimes extends to the physical. In some ways it's similar to jealousy, but more of an uncontrollable severe jealousy combined with a sensation of greif and disparity. It's a sense that you aren't who you are supposed to be, and will never be who you are.

     Many people cry from this sensation, and they cry hard. Some cry to the point of throwing up. Some pray and ask for whichever deity they believe in to take the pain away. Most wish they weren't transgendered at all. Most also don't know what dysphoria is or how to deal with it. They may not have a therapist, and even if they do, that therapist may not understand gender issues that well.

     This pain is so strong that, as mentioned before, it can reach into the physical world. Some have described a pain that is sent down the back of the spine with each bout of dysphoria. It can incapacitate some to the floor. However, this is in the more severe cases. Gender dysphoria generally only happens to those on the extreme end of the transgender spectrum, in other words, transsexuals. It is good to know that there are few that have to go through gender dysphoria, but unfortunately, almost all transsexuals go through it in some fashion. Each person is different and experiences it in their own way. It may not be as severe for one person as compared to another. Either way, it's very hard to deal with.