Is non-tg related depression really possible for someone who is transgender?

[Ashley Allison]

Lately, for the past 3 weeks, I have fallen into a real pit of depression.  On the surface, the issues causing it are non-tg related.  But, I have come to realize the discontinuity between my internal gender and physical gender affects a great portion of my life.  This got me thinking...  Do you think that one's depression is intrinsically linked to being transgendered for people in our community? Or, is it possible to have depression not related to it and its own separate "entity"?

I am not taking any sides quite yet, just want to hear what people have to say

[VeryGnawty]

There are plenty of things to get depressed about that have nothing to do with gender.

[spacial]

Yeah, that's certainly true.

Take care forallittook. Your friends are here

[kyril]

There are plenty of things to get depressed about that have nothing to do with gender.

Well, that and you don't always need something to get depressed "about" at all.

My recurrent depression is biochemical. I feel depressed, have intrusive suicidal thoughts, and become unable to function even when everything is going fine in my life.

[Pinkfluff]

I think about this a good bit myself. I wonder how much influence it has on causing other things that make me depressed, such as unemployment, not knowing anyone around, etc. I find myself trying to guess what my life would be like if this one variable were changed and I didn't have any gender-related problems. Of course there's no way to know even close to sure on something like that, but I can't help thinking about it anyway.

I suppose it's possible for it to be unrelated, but especially given the way society is I find it unlikely that anyone could experience this without getting at least a little depressed over it. Maybe the question isn't so much is it related or not but how much is it realted.

[Ashley Allison]

@Kyril: Very valid point... I struggle with the same issues at times; depression that is irrespective of any events in my life.  I have had it hit during periods of my life that should be happy and joyous.  Debilitating is the most modest word to use to describe how much of an issue it is.   

@Spacial: Thanks for the support, I appreciate it so much

@Pinkfluff: I know that for me some of my non-tg related depression revolves around the same issues... One can only wonder what it would be like to not have those issues in my life.

[Cindy]

Depression is a complex condition. It isn't feeling sad, or in fact depressed. More the ongoing conditions of this.

It may be triggered by anything, but whether it is a chicken or an egg is unknown. Go to a family Dr for treatment, it is oftenly easily controlled.

Cindy

[japple]

Do you think that one's depression is intrinsically linked to being transgendered for people in our community? Or, is it possible to have depression not related to it and its own separate "entity"?

Look up "comorbidity."   You can have GID and as a result or separately have all kinds of other issues.  Other issues can cause GID.  The human brain is a big awesome complicated mess.

I'm dealing with this right now.  My therapist wants to deal with other issues before diving too much further into GID...even though they might be caused or exacerbated by GID.  I was frustrated at first but I think it's common.  My therapist mostly works with Post Op people, who think that transition will cure all of their problems and come out the other side completely in shock and needing to do a lot of work. 

It can be hard for people with GID to tackle other issues because you're vunerable and because it's easy to have an adversarial / "gatekeeper" relationship with therapists.

Best of luck.  We have a lot to unravel. 

[pebbles]

Yeah of course... duhh can have a crappy thing happen to you and it get you down not related to your body or gender. I've have several days of gloom related to university work.

[Miniar]

Being trans probably adds a load to every other pain we have to deal with... but it doesn't mean that it's the root cause of "everything" that we experience.

[Gadgett]

Like mostly everyone is saying there are alot of other things in this world to become depressed about.

Some it's chemical, worries, ect.

I'm sure that a lot of people who are post op still have depression issues. So don't worry about the small stuff.

[Amazon D]

I happen to be bipolar so if i am not doing something positive i get depressed very fast. i need to be working hard to keep from getting depressed. Even still if i don't get depressed every so often i will just because and i don't know why.

i try to keep moving forward and helping people or myself and then i do much much better. When i was with a post op before i finished transitioned back in 98 i was never depressed but when she broke up with me i had to sell everything and move to the other side of the USA to get over her. Many times i use the power of distraction to keep me from being depressed. i also stear clear from places that could become places of bad memories so i don't get them. Thats why i stay away from churches.

[VanOcc]

Depression is caused by loads of different things. A lot of the depression a tg person might experience is probably down to the problems of being tg, but I don't think there's an intrinsic trend of depression within the tg community.

Depression is caused by chemical imbalances, which are generally treated with long-term antidepressants, and situational problems which are derived from a person's current circumstances (being tg, going through a divorce, mental breakdown) tend to be treated with therapy and occasionally short term antidepressants.

[Susan S.]

Dear forallittook,
Depression is just that....Many people struggle with it.The most important issue is that you are sharing it.
Sometimes,it is a byproduct of trans-issues...other times it is general.I just want you to know that many
of us have similar feelings.You are not alone.Please feel free to discuss them here and with your therapist.
Hugs,
Suzi S.

[Shang]

I don't think it has to be due to being TG.

My own depression is rooted in an even that happened to me when I was 3/4 and it just got worse my freshman year of high school and have been battling it almost on a daily basis.  I just now have more of a chance of understanding it and fixing it with the help of my psychiatrist and my psychologist. 

Can being TG have an effect on it?  Sure it can, but it isn't the root cause.

[blair]

I do think that non-tg related depression is possible, but I often wonder if the depression would be less extreme if I didn't have the underlying cause of sadness in my life known as GID. I think being tg exacerbates other reasons to be depressed.

[Kitpup]

I know none of my depression is from TG. I'm quite happy with how my body looks, I just could be happier. However I've spent weeks in a depressive funk from how my body functions and from how my life is turning and just because I can. Just about anything can trigger depression, and when there's a family history of it, like in my family, then it's all the easier.

[dyslexi]

Transitioning is not a magic bullet. There are universal problems we have to deal with regardless of gender. Things that will cause depression. Loneliness, debt etc. Nothing gender specific. If anything being in the right body makes it a bit easier to deal with depression. One less thing to be depressed about

[Hottiesmurf]

Yes life it self can be depressing for me I think it is just the way we deal with it for the good and the bad... but hey we are still here talking and living and striving to make it better for all.