Content Warning: Contains mention of dysphoria and it’s experiences.
Feeling overwhelmed or in crisis? You’re not alone.If you’re thinking about suicide or struggling to cope, please reach out.
Gender dysphoria is a term that can describe two separate things:
- 1). An official medical diagnosis where the misalignment of a person’s gender identity causes a large amount of discomfort or distress. You may also hear this referred to with the more outdated term: “gender incongruence”.
- 2). In non-medical contexts, as a set of experiences involving intense discomfort surrounding a person’s gender: it can quite simply taken to mean “the opposite of euphoria, relating to a person’s gender”.
Not all trans people experience dysphoria. Some people just feel much happier and comfortable in their own skin when living with a gender identity different to that which they were assigned at birth. There is no single, correct way to be trans.
The Many Forms Of Gender Dysphoria
Many medical references do not go into great lengths to describe the many facets of gender dysphoria, but it can be an extreme and unpleasant experience which comes in many shapes and sizes. Although public awareness of transgender people is getting better, the language surrounding such a complex and challenging topic is rarely adequate for people to define or talk about it easily.
This section aims to lay out some of the more specific experiences associated with gender dysphoria in a clear and concise way, providing general information about the topic and a stepping stone for those experiencing dysphoria to both understand and verbalise their feelings.
Because we’re aiming to provide a more rigorously defined vocabulary, many of the terms stated in this document have been taken from The Dysphoria Bible to ensure consistency, then rearranged to better suit this format. The Dysphoria Bible is an excellent resource, and is well worth a read.
Some of the ways gender dysphoria can present itself:
- Biochemical Gender Dysphoria
- Physical Form Gender Dysphoria
- Social Gender Dysphoria
- Existential Gender Dysphoria
Coping Mechanisms
Coping strategies for gender dysphoria can be specific to the individual, and very diverse. Although some may present as a healthy outlet for challenging feelings, some may prove to be more unexpected or damaging. Each section aims to outline a handful of approaches that some people may find helpful in targeting specific forms of dysphoria.
GENERAL ADVICE Some healthy coping strategies may include seeking supportive communities, the management of sensory stimulation, engaging in self-expression activities, or accessing professional mental health support.
Ever Feel Overwhelmed? You could try:
- Putting together a #Sensory Toolkit
- Breathing techniques, like #4-7-8 Breathing
See the section on Self Help for the complete list.
Seeking Support
Acknowledging and addressing gender dysphoria is an essential step toward well-being. It’s recommended to seek support from understanding friends, family, support groups or mental health professionals.
Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength.
Gender Euphoria
An aspect of being transgender that is often not talked about, is gender euphoria. Not all transgender people experience dysphoria at all - it is not a requirement of being trans. One the other hand many people experience an extreme joy, or the sensation of being more calm and centred within themselves when living as their true gender. The name for this feeling of joy: “gender euphoria” was coined to capture the essence of this experience, and is an equally important aspect of a transgender person’s life.
Almost any aspect of a person’s life which makes them feel more in line with their true gender can trigger or enhance gender euphoria: their body, their clothes, their voice, the way people talk to them, the way they are able to express themselves in society, as a parent, to friends and family, the jobs available to them - the list goes on.
Actions which can extend and intensify those feelings of joy can help to improve a person’s overall well being, reduce stress and promote both good physical and mental health. This is why access to gender affirming care is so important.
The Link Between Gender Euphoria & Dysphoria
Despite the fact that not all trans people experience dysphoria, they can be closely linked. Often, the removal of dysphoria can be a potent trigger of euphoria.
Consider this:
If someone has felt a crushing sense of dread and disgust from many characteristics they possess throughout their life, then had those characteristics lifted away - just like that: years of struggle, gone. That can be a potent, euphoric experience.
In Closing
Although dysphoria and euphoria are something many transgender people experience, they are not the sole defining aspects of what it means to be transgender.
There is such a huge variation on people’s lives that it’s impossible to create a description befitting of every case, but with the correct terminology, people are empowered to express themselves more clearly.
Not everyone needs to be an expert, but it is imperative that understanding improves in order to foster better empathy as we move into a more free and accepting society.
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