Mental affects of HRT

[highlight]

I want to know a little about the effects of hormones on the mind. I suffer from anxiety and depression so it is more than just a little important.

I would like to know if it will make things better or worse. .....please say better. 

[Deborah]

I don't think there is a simple answer.  It's likely that if the anxiety and depression is caused solely by dysphoria then HRT will help as  you address the root causes.

But if there are other factors at play the outcome might be different. 

You should really speak to a therapist or psychologist for a professional opinion.


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[iKate]

It varies for people.

For me it did nothing. Zero, zip, zilch, nada. At least it seems to me to be that way. However my brain in many respects displayed female traits well before I started taking exogenous hormones, based on the way I speak, walk, move, multitasking ability, emotion and empathy, maternal instinct etc.

For some it is intense. They cry, they get emotional. Their world view changes. Or it could very well be placebo. Who knows.

Just take it slow and with caution and you'll be fine.

[Miss Clara]

Deborah's right.  It could help if the anxiety is due to testosterone toxicity.  That was the case for me.  My anxiety cleared up within weeks of going on estrogren and driving my T levels down.  It was an incredible feeling to conquer the chronic dysphoria that I was subjected to all my life.  Of course, the physiological component of my GD was only half the problem.  I still have mind-body mismatch dysphoria that I'm still coping with.  That's proving to be a tougher nut to crack (no pun intended).

[KristinaM]

I suffered from mild depression my entire life I think, well, since about the age of 17 anyways.  I like to think it's because of testosterone ruining what had previously been a delicate, but successful balance of hormones in my body pre-puberty.  But anyways...

HRT has basically eliminated that depression.  Now, whether that's because of the hormones, or because I've come out as trans to all my friends and family and can finally start LIVING the life I always should have been, I don't know. Drugs versus liberation, pick one, they both can be very therapeutic.

But again, everyone's situation is different.  If your depression is caused by other factors, it probably won't help, might help a little, or could actually make things worse.  You need to talk to a therapist or counselor or psychiatrist or psychologist, etc...  They will be able to help you identify the root causes of your depression and figure out how to treat it, whether that's through HRT, other meds, or a combination of both.  But be wary that estrogen can really wreak havoc with your mental state in some cases.  Just be prepared for a possible roller coaster ride of emotions.    I finally feel happiness and joy like never before, but I also can feel utter sadness like never before as well, and both can easily bring me to tears, hehe.

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I suppose my depression revolves around no being rasied a girl and having it repressed so yes my GD is what creates the depression...i think.

Although I really suffer from a "fruit salad" of mental issues. Hypochondria,emetophobia,social anxiety and OCD (contamination theme).

The hypochondria makes sense as it is a sense that there is something wrong with the body. The emetophobia and OCD is also to do with illness. Maybe on a deep animal level I know there is something wrong?

Social anxiety; more women have this then men. So maybe it is a bad yet feminine way of thinking.

I just have to hope it can make things better. 

[PennyW]

For me it's been quite subtly profound in my now just over one month on estrogen.

Considerably happier generally, although my mood is more volatile and I tend to have rather nasty mood swings. I'm getting to grips with those with time.

I find it much easier to stay calm and not be angry. Not that I was a very angry person to start with, however I have young kids and they can be quite provocative at times.

I also find myself a lot more empathetic with people, in that I can understand their point of view very easily, and pick up on things they would like to say but won't bring up. This is part of my job, so it's been very helpful professionally.

I guess libido is worth mentioning too. I don't have a libido any more, where it used to dominate my thinking at times. This is a welcome relief.

Overall the mental effects have been very welcome and even if my body didn't change at all (which it is) I'd keep going on HRT.

[liz]

For HRT in general, I can't say. But before srs I was on androcur (Canada) and my endocrinologist told me they could cause periodic depressive feeling as side effect and I had this effect (feeling depressive for about 1-2 hours sometime with absolutely no reason). 

Else, my anxiety and "real" depressive mind went away after a couple months when i felt balanced with my emotions.

In my case I never had libido and the more HRT was doing his job the more I had. Few weeks before srs I had a drop when I stopped HRT then when I started back without t-blocker it reach a peak that haven't went down yet.

[Rachel]

HRT helped my dysphoria. I take another medication for depression.

[Jill F]

After the full dose of HRT, I didn't need the antidepressants nor antianxiety drugs anymore.  I've been off them for over 2 years.  My brain was clearly not built to handle testosterone.

HRT made me calm and happy.  Strangely, my color vision and sense of taste were greatly enhanced as was my verbal acuity.

I also fart pixie dust and rainbows now. 

[Dodie]

I am lucky that I coped well with my GID for years... although it was hard as hell I kept an even head until the second time the bell went off and that was it.
So for me changes are pronounced.. easier to measure..
I am very happy now compared to before.. although I led a blessed life.
I no longer need things to make me happy its more about people in my life.
If you love yourself you love others easily.
As for the HRT.. I know it changed me in significant ways.  Honestly my math skills went to crap and I drive slow now.
I am not aggressive  I am relaxed, I just feel more at home in my body.
Life is not perfect..being a woman is not easy.. its all the clothing, hair, make up stuff we deal with but love so ,much because we missed out on it.
You will notice if you transition the things that you wanted so much become normal..example.. wearing a bra... LOL I hate and love it but my boobs are so big I have to wear one at night too.. so never get a complete break from it.
The hormones changed my view of the world.  Guys seem so different now.. like a different species.. seriously

An important note to make... if you have anxiety and depression  now you may have it after HRT.. and transition is not easy.. you will need regular therapy before and after transition.

I hope in the end you find so much happiness that that depression and anxiety will lesson and go away.. wish you all the best.
Keri  AKA Dodie

[Frae]

I suffer from depression and HRT hasn't made it go away Though I haven't been doing it long my impression is that only I can sort out my depression (with the help of a therapist and modern pharma of course).

HRT has certainly helped me be depressed a lot less though. The changes I'm going just make me happy and the ups of my "ups and downs" have been longer lasting and better than ever.

[Keri]

I suffer from depression and HRT hasn't made it go away Though I haven't been doing it long my impression is that only I can sort out my depression (with the help of a therapist and modern pharma of course).

HRT has certainly helped me be depressed a lot less though. The changes I'm going just make me happy and the ups of my "ups and downs" have been longer lasting and better than ever.

Frea,
That sounds pretty typical.. hopefully your depression will lesson more over time.. I applaud you for getting the proper therapy... good luck girl.
Keri