Mental health support

[rachel89]

So last November, I finally ended up in the mental hospital. Its a long story of how exactly I got there, but anyways I was diagnosed with major depression, gender dysphoria, and alcohol use disorder. Although they didn't really address my anxiety issues, I was prescribed Wellbutrin, the psychiatrist elected to keep me on spironolactone so I would not keep doing what we cannot discuss on Susan's. A couple weeks later, I finally went to a doctor who does IC in my area and was prescribed both E and spiro. Since then, I don' have as many anxiety attacks (the E has helped with that), I still have depression, but its not quite as bad as often (the wellbutrin isn't really all that effective). Anyways, I'm basically a mess, and I'm looking for support in this. Are there any other trans women here who deal with depression/anxiety, gender dysphoria, and have alcohol problems at the same time. Is this common for other trans people to deal with all 3 problems?

[Laura_7]

Well is there a reason for fear / depression ?

You might work on that :
is it job related ...
etc ...
is it possible to make a list and use a few opportunities to make a change so you see its going in the right direction and things get better eventually ?


http://www.gires.org.uk/assets/DOH-Assets/pdf/doh-transgender-experiences.pdf
There are studies showing being transgender has biological connections, listed in the link.
There are differences in brains of women and men so a mistmatch is possible.
There are even substances known to cause a higher rate of transgender people. They are off the market now.

Knowing this might help with self acceptance. Its also much more socially acceptable imo.

So there is nothing wrong with being transgender, it just is.
And its nobodys fault, neither an upbringing nor whatever.
I'd say accept ... make the best of it ... go with what brings you a feeling of joy (within reason ... changes to clothing style for example)  ... so you can transition in a way and with a speed you feel comfortable with.

Changes to hair and clothing style could be fun ... second hand stores might be a good source...


*hugs*

[cindianna_jones]

I lived in the Hollywood area during my transition. I had acquaintances who had a myriad of problems with substance abuse. Some turned tricks. Some committed suicide or contracted aids. The common thread among us all was depression. Depression is far too common among us. Dysphoria is the underlying factor in most cases. And from that stems all the other issues that creep in. Self abuse. Sex. Anger. Resentment. And depression.

Society has set forth a norm and we don't fit there. Depression is almost inevitable. That doesn't mean that you can't deal with your choices in how you deal with them. Pick one. Focus on it. Solve it. Just do one at a time and pat yourself on the back for every day you effectively deal with it. If you falter, don't give up. Keep on going until you've got it resolved. Then deal with the next.

I always provide this caveat: Get help from a qualified counselor. It's cheaper than an alcohol habit.

Chin up!
Cindi

[Tristyn]

Hi Rachel.

I'm not a transwoman, so I hope you don't mind me replying here. But from what I've researched on the subject, depression, anxiety and substance abuse/self-medication are highly common among our kind, sadly. I mean, why wouldn't it be with all the hell we are forced to put up with daily from people who can't accept our true selves no matter what we do it seems like?

I would continue taking that Wellbutrin if it helps you. I know in many of my posts I say that I very much dislike anti-depressants but shoot, if they help you, then by all means, take it! Please....

I was started on some once again, very recently. Its a newer one, called Zyprexa or Olanzipine. This is actually an anti-psychotic or mood stabilizer. Yeah, I been diagnosed with many things, including bipolar-depression.

So, welcome to the club.

And as a side note, I've been in and out of mental hospitals since I was 19. But the only reason I've stayed out of them as of late, is because of insurance problems....

[Deborah]

Back when I was dealing with dysphoria through brute force suppression, I was depressed and angry a lot.  My primary coping methods were excessive exercise to exhaustion, smoking heavily, and drinking to the point of drunkeness nearly every evening.  Fortunately for me I was never hospitalized or arrested for drunk driving but that was probably more luck than anything.  So I think what you have experienced is pretty common.  The substance abuse especially as that in particular is an escape from a crushing reality. 
The E part of HRT has been the primary driver in eliminating all those bad things for me.  While I am now also taking spiro, there was a time when I was DIY with only E a few years ago.  The addition of spiro and probably counseling were a major positive too.  Maybe counseling and talking about it for the first time was the bigger factor of the two in relieving the mental distress.


Sapere Aude