This is the rest of the message from the Anon discussing dysphoria. Thank you for reminding me–and the people who read my blog–that there are some people like Anon who are suffering terribly from a strong dysphoria. I will tell you, Anon, that my...

This is the rest of the message from the Anon discussing dysphoria.

Thank you for reminding me–and the people who read my blog–that there are some people like Anon who are suffering terribly from a strong dysphoria. I will tell you, Anon, that my child does not feel this way (by her own admission), so I don’t even have the experience of knowing someone personally who is going through what you are. I have read quite a bit of “the other side” that you mention, and I am prepared to accept that there are likely a few people for which hormones and surgery are appropriate (apart from intersex people, who of course need medical intervention). I just think it’s a small minority. 

Also, in reading the “other side” online, I see a lot of euphoria when people first transition. Later, There are many accounts of depression and people feeling like transition wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. But the young teens who are gender nonconforming are mostly watching those ecstatic transition videos and stories. It’s not a balanced view.

physical dysphoria
The importance of doubt thirdwaytrans.com
I was banned from Reddit’s /r/asktransgender sub after making the following comment in response to a thread asking about regret: “I ultimately found that transition didn’t actually cure dysphoria (…

For the Anon who asked earlier today about dealing with physical dysphoria without medical transition, thirdwaytrans might be a good place to start. 

“I will reiterate that I am not opposed to transition or hormones or other interventions. Each person must make that choice for themselves. It is clear that there are many people that have undergone these interventions and feel positively about them. What I am opposed to is the idea that it is the only way. There are plenty of people who have dysphoria and don’t transition, there are plenty of people who transition and still have dysphoria.The idea that one shouldn’t doubt is a dangerous one and I worry when questioning, vulnerable people who pose questions are only presented with voices encouraging of transition, and other voices are silenced. The point of questioning is to question.”

thirdwaytrans alternatives to medical transition physical dysphoria anon question physical dysphoria

A request for resources: Alternatives to medical transition

I’ve learned a lot in the past 24 hours about the pain experienced by women who have detransitioned. I’m also realizing more deeply the suffering of people who have strong physical dysphoria; women who feel their only viable option is hormones and surgery. I am not equipped to advise anyone on that. My family situation doesn’t pertain to that kind of physical dysphoria, and I am not dysphoric myself.

Ideally, there would be therapists and MDs who specialize in exploring alternatives to hormones and surgery for people with physical dysphoria, and we could put together resource lists. But as someone said to me today in a private message: “I can see why it would be difficult to call out doctors and therapists. No one is really outraged at them. In fact the outrage is directed at doctors and therapists who don’t just do as they are told by their patients. Any conversation that does not affirm what [the person with dysphoria immediately] wants is now being framed as attempts to practice conversion therapy. “

twentythreetimes rightly said the focus and heat should be on providers who are rushing people into medical transition.  But the providers who might be sympathetic are afraid to speak up.

What can be done?

physical dysphoria alternatives to medical transition alternatives to testosterone