Advice needed

[kj2016]

Hello. I'm KJ and I'm sort of new to these forums. I'm curious if anyone else experiences intense anxiety at the idea of being trans and if so, how they deal with it? I keep getting panic attacks about being trans and it makes it a little difficult to figure things out. I know a lot of the fear comes from panicking over what other people, including my family, will think if I ever came out to them.
Thanks!

[Dena]

I think anybody on the site who realized they were transgender in their teens or later had fear of coming out to family and friends. I feel the day you start your transition is the day you can face others and break the wall of secrecy. I knew at age 13 but because I knew a transition wasn't possible and because of fear, I remain in the closet for another 10 years.

[roseyfox]

Yes there is always anxiety to how people will act change or treat you. I was about 14 when i know, but i had both a mentally and physically abusive father who was very conservative to the jewish faith. I stayed in the closet so to speak till i moved in with my mom when i was 17 because i feared what he might do. So there is alot of risk in telling people but at the same time you shouldn't need to worry. But sadly not all people can be opened minded even to the ideal that you might be trans and that you just don't know.

Just make sure you are around open minded individuals and make friends with allies and others that will not judge you for what you decide to do with your self.

[Elis]

Yep been there. I also had quite bad social anxiety at the same time I was finding out I was trans; which did not help. Not much advice apart from builing your confidence up by clothes, a haircut or seeking support online or an ftm group if you can. Took me a year or so to have the guts to go too one and it helped my anxiety, but I still prefer to be on my own. Also took me that same length of time to get my hair shortened. So try not to feel discouraged that your panic attacks are stopping you; just takes time to get used to experiencing new things. Seeing a therapy has also helped witj my anxiety.