Just wondering if HRT had any benefits besides reducing dysphoria. I have Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD, depression and anxiety. I wonder if it lessens general depression and anxiety and/or makes social interaction easier?
It CAN help with depression, anxiety and degree of sociability.
I am a lot more social now and my anxiety was greatly helped with depression medication.
I no longer self medicate by smoking weed on a daily basis, I like the way I feel and have no desire to alter it anymore. In fact if I smoke it now my dysphoria starts to take over.
I have not been on HRT for very long, so I hesitate to make any deep observations at this point. However, I can say that nothing used to fill me with terror pre-hrt than being alone. It was when I was alone and without adequate distraction that my dysphoria would inevitably creep up on me.
The first symptoms I felt aside from an aching behind was a certain sense of serenity. I am no longer afraid to be by myself because the tortures my mind inflicted upon me have become silenced. I have been able to look forward again and with the confidence i thought was lost forever.
I can't say I cry more or am more emotional. I can't say I am more empathetic or sensitive - but my wife accuses me of being more clingy. All I can say for absolute certainty is the anxiety I always carried with me has seemingly vanished. The mental fog that dulled the sharpness of my mind has seemingly lifted. I hope this peace continues and is not merely a placebo effect, but this remains to be seen and is certainly my truth right now.
It really depends on what is causing the depression. If it's caused by dysphoria then yes, HRT is likely to cure it. But if the depression has some other cause you may need other medication.
It did cure my depression though.
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For me, it has had the positive effects of lowering dysphoria, bringing out a general feeling of calm and "happiness" with life and allowing my social self to be more outgoing than it already is. It also has lowered reactions to things that used to cause me anxiety and depressive behaviors.
The negative, I am truly freakin' blond(er) now...like all the time and if I do not write it down it does not get remembered. It annoys the heck out of my friends who have always known me to be sort of spacy anyway. Worse, by far, by all external reference.
HRT effects each of us differently and I have seen the gamut through support group participation and community interactions. In most cases, it seems to take certain "edges" and soften them.
It helped me a lot in terms of social anxiety. That was probably one of the fastest benefits for me. It's amazing how quickly I felt better once the world stopped seeing me as a girl.
I'm more organized, more compassionate, more caring towards others and generally nicer.
Jen
Do you think it helps deal with the "horrors" of being trans - I'm terrified of being rejected/abused. Can being on HRT actually help you deal with these emotionally?
Are there any studies into the benefits of HRT, in terms of improving mood, etc in trans people?
It would make sense that trans brains would benefit from cross-sex hormones, as they are more similar to their preferred gender.
HRT is not magic either. Certain things you have to deal with, on your own...and face your fears. It's the only way.
Quote from: windlep on December 25, 2015, 03:26:36 PM
Do you think it helps deal with the "horrors" of being trans - I'm terrified of being rejected/abused. Can being on HRT actually help you deal with these emotionally?
No, IMO. That's something you would have to come to terms with on your own. It may help with your self acceptance and self love, but if you have a problem with being rejected then you need to figure out how to deal with that separately. HRT probably won't do anything for it.
I know HRT isn't some magic bullet that can fix everything. I just wonder if it can help make you less depressed/anxious and more emotionally stable, which could make it easier to accept all the difficulties that comes with being trans.
Quote from: windlep on December 26, 2015, 02:14:25 AM
I know HRT isn't some magic bullet that can fix everything. I just wonder if it can help make you less depressed/anxious and more emotionally stable, which could make it easier to accept all the difficulties that comes with being trans.
To be honest this is were a GOOD therapist earns their cash. We carry baggage, we need to deal with it, there are no magic tricks or drugs, there is sitting down and working through the issues with a therapist who has proper training and can help you.
Starting HRT is often a watershed and we feel all sorts of good, but we still carry the baggage. It is the transgender person who gets the help and faces up to his/her problems that comes out of this journey happy and healthy.
I agree with Cindy. I have been going to therapy for 3 years and dealing with a lot of issues. Accepting who I am and doing something about it has been scary at first but feels so increasable when I get over my fear. I have done so many things I thought were impossible.
I suffer from long term depression. Admitting to myself I need medication and doing something about my depression had helped me so much. I still have depression issues but it is getting better. Sometimes I am able to realize what is causing the issue and remove myself from the issue instead of owning the feelings of hopelessness.