Dysphoria - TransHub (2023)

The word dysphoria is used broadly to describe discomfort, distress, or malaise. For trans people, this kind of distress can be associated with our gender, our bodies, or the way our gender is perceived by those around us, which is why it is often called "gender dysphoria".

The diagnosis of gender dysphoria emerged in 2013, when it was included in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of the American Psychiatric Association. This was generally considered a positive step as it shifted the clinical focus from "who we are" to something we could experience.

However, the implication of this has been the assumption that all trans people have had, or currently have, dysphoria, or so defines the trans experience. This is not true.

Dysphoria happens for many reasons and to many different people.

Some trans people feel that their dysphoria is overwhelming or pervasive, while others have no dysphoria at all. Many feel that this changes throughout life or during gender affirmation. Whatever you feel and wherever you feel it, you are valid and valuable.

diagnosis vs description

It can be confusing, but there is a difference between thediagnosisof gender dysphoria andfeelinggender dysphoria experienced by some transgender people. The diagnosis is part of a long story of how doctors and researchers have interacted with transgender people, which you can read more about in ourGender diagnosis page.

The feeling of gender dysphoria, which this page focuses on, can be considered from the perspective of being asocial conditionsrather than a medical problem. A condition that is exacerbated by gender confusion, barriers to asserting care, and assumptions others make about you, to name a few.

No matter our relationship to our gender, all trans people deservemedical statementwe search.

Gender dysphoria can be different for everyone. It may manifest as distress, depression, anxiety, restlessness, or unhappiness. It may seem like anger or sadness, or feeling belittled or negative about your body, or like parts of you are missing.

We spoke to transgender people in NSW and asked them how they felt about dysphoria, and these were some of their responses:

How it feels and when it happens can be different from person to person.

“There are different things that can trigger your dysphoria, such as seeing a picture of yourself, looking in the mirror, looking at yourself naked, being intimate with someone, feeling that your voice is too feminine or too masculine, being misunderstood, being perceived as your assigned gender. , etc. having a dead name, body/genital/intimate conversations, certain clothes, being forced into a certain role, and so on. There are different triggers for everyone, and sometimes dysphoria strikes without you expecting it.

Survival Guide for Trans Teens, Owl and Fox Fisher

While dysphoria is an experience many trans people have, the important part is working on ways to feel more comfortable over time. Many trans people can attest that the dysphoria completely disappears when we assert who we are in the way that works best for us.

Am I still trans if I don't have dysphoria?

The short answer: yes! While many trans people suffer from dysphoria, not all trans people do.

That said, sometimes doctors or other health professionals still believe that dysphoria is a requirement for being trans, which is a form ofgoalkeeper. The trans community talks about it a lot, all over the world. Local communities tend to develop strategies to make the care we need more accessible. We can identify and share information about doctors' orders, distribute guidelines, and support people who are forced to go through many obstacles just to access basic and necessary medical care. connecting withcolleaguesit can be really powerful, especially if you're having a hard time finding a doctor.

It is important to make the best and most informed decisions possible about your health care. You can get more information on ourfind a medical pageto help you find a doctor who will work with you and confirm it.

Feeling dysphoric can be overwhelming or overwhelming. However, starting with small or big steps can make a big difference, such as:

asserting your gender

Some trans people find that asserting their gender can help alleviate dysphoria, either medically with hormones and/or surgery, or socially, by doing things like changing their names, finding clothes they feel fabulous in, cutting their hair or painting their faces. . nails, and go to trusted people.

This doesn't have to be public either, as stating your gender can only be done at home or in front of a few trusted friends or family. If it helps you feel supported, there's no wrong way to date.

focus on something else

Sometimes, when it all seems like too much, distracting yourself with something else can really help. What you do to distract yourself will depend on what you like to do.

It could be some craft or manual work, writing or playing music, playing a gender-neutral sport with some friends, or going out into nature. Whatever feels good and helps you think about something else for a while, and even if it doesn't eliminate the dysphoria, it's good to take a break for a while.

expressing your sexuality

For some people, sexual and/or romantic.Connectionwith others, it can be a powerful releaser of dysphoria. However, it is important that you listen to yourself to ensure this feels affirmative, consensual andhealthy. Feeling loved, touched, and cared for by someone you trust is a great way to tell your dysphoria to go back to where it came from.

find community

While finding your community might take a little longer than some of the other ideas here, being around people you feel supported and loved by can make a big difference, especially if they're other trans people.

Having colleagues who know what you've been through, because they've been through it themselves, can be very valuable, whether you're talking about your feelings, attending a community event like a rally or meeting, or just hanging out. and play video games together.

Gender euphoria is the experience of feeling good about yourself, your body and your gender.

It was coined to express a positive and exciting feeling of the genre itself, which is a concept that is sometimes not talked about as much as our negative experiences.

Gender euphoria challenges the idea that trans people only experience gender dysphoria and that the history of being trans is rooted in misery.

Fury writes that gender euphoria is "the feeling of comfort, certainty, joy, or excitement about your body or your identity".

Gender euphoria can manifest itself in response to being the correct gender, after having gender-affirming surgery, or buying clothes you love. It can also be more general, like moments in your everyday life when you feel happy, excited, loved, exuberant, or lucky to be in the body you are in, whatever that is, enjoy!

Not all of us will feel gender euphoria all the time, but it's a great feeling to crave it and know it's there and it's possible. We deserve to feel good.