Psychological disorders and Transition

[Hurtfulsplash]

I'm not sure if psychological disorders is the most appropriate term, so I'll use myself as an example and perhaps someone knows a better term, but anyway... I have depression, anxiety, social phobia and alcoholism, and I've heard that transitioning can have a positive effect on these issue for obvious reasons. So I was wondering if anyone can share if transitioning had a positive or negative effect on conditions like these, particularly after starting HRT?

[V M]

Interesting topic

[cynthialee]

I have been a life long drug usser due to GID. Depression ruled my life.
I ussed drugs to hide the GID, eventualy that no longer worked. Then the supply ran out and  I was forced to confront GID.
I am now on HRT and actively in transition and I have never felt better. Now when I cry I am not severly depressed, but just being an emo female. lol
Transition can help, but ya gotta realize that it is the root of our other issues typicaly. Now I have no real interest in finding white dope or drinking to oblivion.
So yes I believe transition can help fix certain issues if they are symptoms of the gender disorder.

[Hurtfulsplash]

Its hard to know if they are symptoms of gender disorder for sure though.

[lightvi]

i know what you mean, i've got a few psychological problems myself lol xD. Minor OCD and Social Anxiety Disorder. the SAD comes from GID though so i know for sure that one will get better, yay! :) my OCD isn't that bad, i just have a few little ticks and intrusive thoughts but it's nothing serious. that might go away as well, here's to hoping ;) i've got bad depression too.. but that comes from sad and gid.

[Katelyn-W]

I was diagnosed with depression about 1.5 years ago. I started HRT about 6 weeks ago, and have been living full-time(ish) for about 2 weeks. I came out to my family a few months ago also, and they've been very accepting and supportive. My mood and anxiety over the past few months has gotten a lot better as I worked towards transitioning, I'm happier, more out-going, making friends, haven't felt this good in a long, long time. I wouldn't tie it completely to my transitioning (I've been making positive changes in my life in general), but I think it's more than just mere coincidence

[Hurtfulsplash]

I wouldn't tie it completely to my transitioning (I've been making positive changes in my life in general), but I think it's more than just mere coincidence

I agree, I hope HRT helps my mood, but I know not to expect anything unrealistic.

[AweSAM!]

My parents wanted me to go on SSRIs after a depression that had lasted from 2003-2009 (it took them nearly 4-5 of the 6 years to realize I was depressed, since my facade was decent enough), but I told my therapist, and he agreed with me that when I worked on eliminating masculine traits from my appearance, my depression abated. I'm surprised I made it out of high school with my life, and now I want to get on living it. My therapist told me there are 2 main types of depression, one caused by chemical problems and the other is causal depression; he said I had causal depression from GID and family issues. Instead of sending me to get SSRIs, I got a letter stating a diagnosis of GID, and that HRT is the recommended route. I also had social anxiety, stemming from my troubles coping with my GID.

[Hurtfulsplash]

In Limbo, that sounds like me I tried antidepressants but none ever worked, must have been that there was nothing wrong with me chemically.

[MillieB]

A bit of an odd one for me! Without dealing with some of the other things in my life (Serious alcohol and drug dependency, depression, anxiety etc.) I don't think that I ever would have had the courage to deal with facing up to my GD. I would just have died, miserable and young! My therapist asked me one day if I thought that my life had been preparing me for this time, preparing me for what was to come and I think that it has. Without that I just don't think that I would have been able to transition.

Sometimes it is the bad times that teach us most about ourselves.

[Sage Fallon]

I've had problems with depression, anxiety, and drug and alcohol abuse. I can link those to the GID, and they nearly killed me before I had the chance to transition. Ever since I started hormones they've gotten a bit better. I still have some problems with anxiety and depression, and the drug and alcohol problems are only sporadic at the worst now.

[Northern Jane]

The only problems I had before SRS/transition were directly tied to being trans.

I started DIY illegal hormones in my early teens, whenever I could steal them, started living a double life in my mid-teens, but in the 1960's there was no place to go with that so I sunk into depression in my early 20's and then to being suicidal. I don't know if anybody knew, except maybe my doctor, and there wasn't much anybody could do about it until Dr. Biber came along.

After SRS/transition, I never had another suicidal thought, no matter how tough life got, and no depression (any worse than the "Oh my gawd, is it Monday already?" that most people have.)

[Hurtfulsplash]

Sometimes it is the bad times that teach us most about ourselves.

That's one of my favorite quotes

(any worse than the "Oh my gawd, is it Monday already?" that most people have.)

LOL

[kyril]

I have PTSD and social anxiety. Obviously transitioning isn't going to do anything for PTSD, but even just socially transitioning without any medical intervention has done wonders for my social anxiety.

I've also been diagnosed with depression three times. The first was shortly after I started taking hormonal birth control, the second led to the discovery of my first pregnancy, and the third was during my second pregnancy. And I get depressive thought patterns and urges to self-injure at certain times in my monthly cycle. Basically, female hormones and changes in hormone levels f*** with my head.

The BC-induced one cleared up about a month after the hormones were out of my system (it took several months to make the connection though, and in that time I'd switched from the pill to Depo, so it took a long time for that to clear out). The pregnancy-induced ones eventually resolved over the course of about a year each. I'm curious to see what T will do for my mental health, but scared at the same time - what if it makes it worse?

[cynthialee]

Kyril'
I highly doubt T will mess your mind up if female hormones are messing you up. Definatly worth checking out. From what you have said it is obvious you are  male brained.

[FairyGirl]

I have PTSD and social anxiety. Obviously transitioning isn't going to do anything for PTSD, but even just socially transitioning without any medical intervention has done wonders for my social anxiety.

I was diagnosed with PTSD, and for me transitioning has actually been a significant part of the healing process. I think perhaps it has something something to do with the source of the PTSD, too, which for me was childhood abuse. Finally being able to come out and just be myself has had a great impact on mending my broken psyche. It has helped me in coming to terms with a lot of the secondary, long term psychological consequences of child abuse. It's not the entire cure by any means, but it has been a major step for me. Then again the fact of seeing 2 therapists for over a year might have something to do with it too

And what Cynthia said about the hormones. I do believe our birth hormones can definitely cause psychological distress if they are the wrong ones or toxic to our brains, whether male or female. Getting the correct hormones may be enough by itself to make disorders like PTSD easier to deal with.

[V M]

PTSD, severe depression and anxiety, suicidal behavioral patterns etc. related to a variety of things that added up to a nearly complete basket case

It's still a daily wrestling match but I'm dealing with things much better than I have in the past

I feel that transitioning, although it brings it's own concerns to the table has been a big help

The therapist and others that work with me have commented that I have made great progress

[justmeinoz]

I have suffered from Depression to varying degrees since puberty, and although there were external causes on a number of occaissions, I believe the underlying GID predisposed me to it.
Since coming out to myself, I can feel the depression starting to lift, and have started to reduce my anti-depressant dosage.  I expect it will take some time to fully recover, and will have to reduce my med's slowly to avoid withdrawal.
Seeing that women seem to suffer from Depression more than men, has anyone noticed a relapse after starting HRT?

[Hurtfulsplash]

I haven't started T yet but I've noticed that I've been less anxious to be in social situations and a little more motivated. It could have to do with my passing more (someone used the right pronouns for me today), and being on the right track. Also, you guys have been a big help with support and information. Before here I didn't have anyone to talk to, so exercising my social skills has helped me a lot.

[FLAddisonsHell]

I was just thinking about that last night. As long as I can remember I have been in some kind of therapy. Its not something I'm proud of,but the simple fact really boils down to me dealing with self.

Self is truely the root of all these issues I have. Today I go and see my "dope dealer" to refill my 2 scripts for meds I'm positive I don't need. Although they do seem to help me stay focused on school. Nevertheless I do presume that getting off the crack and being able to start the HRT process would simply make me giddy.

I honestly believe that will be the cure all. I have been on almost every MAO and anti-depressant known to man. None of them could mask the pain and anguish that I feel everyday. I need not be numbed of what's there... I have ran from me so long.... time to stop running becuz me has caught up. This will definatly be an issue.I will be talking to him about. Thnx for the post splash... and for stirring the ant bed