Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transgender talk => Topic started by: redhot1 on October 20, 2014, 09:15:03 AM

Title: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: redhot1 on October 20, 2014, 09:15:03 AM
I don't know. Sometimes I think about being female once in a while. I don't have dysphoria at least not a severe case. As i understand it is still my body and I can do anything i want right? I am not even interested in woman/girly things but i wish i was. I don't really hate my penis. I know being a woman to me seems nothing more but a distant "dream" an aspiration.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Jessica Merriman on October 20, 2014, 09:20:50 AM
If I were you I would do what most of us did here. Find a Therapist preferably with gender experience and find out if it would be right for you. Without Dysphoria and not liking feminine things I am unsure of what is motivating you. Is it a steady thought or just once in a while? Have you ever dressed and how did it make you feel? See, there are just dozens of things to resolve before a decision should even be considered one way or another. Not trying to say it is impossible of course, I just think you need to have a good grasp on WHY you would want to be female.  :)
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Shana-chan on October 20, 2014, 02:22:44 PM
It is possible to have lower amounts of Dysphoria than most of us do and still be trans however, the only way to know for sure as to who you are is to study yourself and to also find a gender therapist. Hope that helps even if only a little and, best of luck!
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: redhot1 on October 20, 2014, 03:40:13 PM
"Study yourself" How does that work?
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Jen72 on October 20, 2014, 03:54:30 PM
I would say in similar boat so to speak.

Yet how to study yourself perhaps look at how you react to things and how you wish others to see you.  Really look hard at who you really are, what you want to be in the future. No it really is not a simple question and you may spend years to truly figure it out.

Speaking to a therapist may guide you into the path in front of you as to who you are what you want to do that sort of thing.

I can only speak generally because the ONLY ONE that can answer the question of who you are is YOU.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Gothic Dandy on October 20, 2014, 04:53:47 PM
I am going to post one of these videos again...I love these.
http://youtu.be/ZZ_Esfxavow

And here's a relevant article:
http://freethoughtblogs.com/zinniajones/2013/09/that-was-dysphoria-8-signs-and-symptoms-of-indirect-gender-dysphoria/
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: suzifrommd on October 20, 2014, 05:29:33 PM
Quote from: redhot1 on October 20, 2014, 09:15:03 AM
I don't know. Sometimes I think about being female once in a while. I don't have dysphoria at least not a severe case. As i understand it is still my body and I can do anything i want right? I am not even interested in woman/girly things but i wish i was. I don't really hate my penis. I know being a woman to me seems nothing more but a distant "dream" an aspiration.

I never had gender dysphoria, just a sense that I would rather be a woman. I've never wanted to play with dolls, never wanted to wear women's clothes, etc. Never hated my penis.

And yet I'm thrilled living full time as a woman for more than a year.

If you're transgender, that may show itself in lots of ways. I explored who I was by dressing and going out as a female and seeing whether it felt more natural.

It did!
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Daisy Jane on October 20, 2014, 09:50:19 PM
Quote from: Gothic Dandy Luca on October 20, 2014, 04:53:47 PM
I am going to post one of these videos again...I love these.
http://youtu.be/ZZ_Esfxavow

And here's a relevant article:
http://freethoughtblogs.com/zinniajones/2013/09/that-was-dysphoria-8-signs-and-symptoms-of-indirect-gender-dysphoria/

Thank you for posting this. As someone who is just beginning to realize these feelings, I've found both of these links very helpful.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Illuminess on October 25, 2014, 09:55:42 AM
Dysphoria itself is a spectrum, but no matter where on it you are it is still valid. Like others have said, talking with a therapist (gender specialised) will help you figure out what your next step should be; and even if you know for sure it's still good to have one. Family and friends sometimes just don't do the trick, so talking to someone you don't know who understands psychology allows you to breach more issues effectively.

I wouldn't say my dysphoria is severe, but it's there. Sometimes it's worse than other times, but at any intensity it still propels me to transition. You may even find that it increases as soon as you decide that transition is right for you, because then you're anticipating changes and hearing a new name and new pronouns. But that's the way it goes with anything that's suddenly on the cusp of your reality. Everything just intensifies until it drops back down, the euphoria hits, and then you level out. Change is one harsh mistress, but she'll reward you for sticking with it.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: peky on October 25, 2014, 11:58:28 AM
Quote from: redhot1 on October 20, 2014, 09:15:03 AM
I don't know. Sometimes I think about being female once in a while. I don't have dysphoria at least not a severe case. As i understand it is still my body and I can do anything i want right? I am not even interested in woman/girly things but i wish i was. I don't really hate my penis. I know being a woman to me seems nothing more but a distant "dream" an aspiration.

It is the beginning of long path full of discoveries and realizations.... yes, at the end of the road lies your "dream".

You have taken your first step by placing this posts.... releases your inner girl

Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Jess42 on October 25, 2014, 12:19:41 PM
I would say its possible. I don't have severe dysphoria. I have bouts of pretty bad dysphoria at times and they come and go. But mostly I don't mind the plumbing. But like sororcaeli said, dyphoria in itself is a spectrum It can be just a nagging thought or quiet hum in the mind or just a preference to be one gender over another or it can be a  full blown scream that impacts every possible area of your life. Or it can come and go in waves.

But the best advice I can give you is what others have and that is find a therapist preferably with knowledge of gender issues. And just explore these feelings and figure out what you want.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: ImagineKate on October 25, 2014, 01:07:12 PM
In that link, #6 really hit home.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Releca on October 25, 2014, 09:12:41 PM
Those videos really hit home. I like the line in her part 2 that said if you're looking into this for yourself your transgender cis people don't do this.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Daisy Jane on October 26, 2014, 11:11:13 AM
That part really hit me too. I really need to get in to see a therapist.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Illuminess on October 27, 2014, 11:07:45 AM
I'm probably going to use Alexis (the woman in the videos) as my therapist. She encourages you to get on HRT as soon as you can before working with her. She does individual or group sessions online.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Jess42 on October 27, 2014, 12:33:01 PM
Quote from: sororcaeli on October 27, 2014, 11:07:45 AM
I'm probably going to use Alexis (the woman in the videos) as my therapist. She encourages you to get on HRT as soon as you can before working with her. She does individual or group sessions online.

She seems to be pretty intelligent. Does anyone know if she is transgender herself? Just asking. Still she sounds like she would be a really good therapist to see.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Illuminess on October 27, 2014, 12:41:27 PM
Quote from: Jess42 on October 27, 2014, 12:33:01 PM
She seems to be pretty intelligent. Does anyone know if she is transgender herself? Just asking. Still she sounds like she would be a really good therapist to see.
No, she's not, but I've emailed with her and she's definitely no gatekeeper. She also told me this:

"As a money saver, if your hormones are not covered by your insurance.  There is a pharmacy that serves the entire country for hormones.  They have people who are transgender and people who are infertile.  They will provide you with a 5 month supply (or a whole vial) for $60, which includes needles, alcohol swabs, and (3 day) shipping and handling.  That breaks down to $12 a month for hormones.  Blockers should cost about the same, but the hormones are $60 all upfront..  The pharmacy is called Stroheckers.  Here is there website.  http://www.stroheckersrx.com/ Your cost for hormones every month, if your insurance does not cover everything is about $25."
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Jess42 on October 27, 2014, 12:48:27 PM
Quote from: sororcaeli on October 27, 2014, 12:41:27 PM
No, she's not, but I've emailed with her and she's definitely no gatekeeper.

OK. I was just wondering. I don't care if she was or wasn't I like the lady and how she talks. Like she really understands. That is the main reason I was asking. The second reason and this is gonna' be effed up but her hands. Yeah I get a little obsessive. It's just another thing I have to live with. ::) That freaking finger ratio thing. ???

I just don't care about online therapy though.
Title: Re: Can I be a woman without having severe GID?
Post by: Gina Taylor on October 28, 2014, 08:25:22 AM
Quote from: suzifrommd on October 20, 2014, 05:29:33 PM
I never had gender dysphoria, just a sense that I would rather be a woman. I've never wanted to play with dolls, never wanted to wear women's clothes, etc. Never hated my penis.

And yet I'm thrilled living full time as a woman for more than a year.

If you're transgender, that may show itself in lots of ways. I explored who I was by dressing and going out as a female and seeing whether it felt more natural.

It did!

I've felt exactly the same way as you have! :) :) But I do feel so much better as a woman then I did as a man. So much makes more sense to me as a woman in my mind.  :)