I'll be starting T in about a month and I'm starting to worry that I'm just going to be this raging beast by what some of my doctors have told me. I'm really worried about this because I don't want to lash out or hurt my close friends and family.

quite the opposite.  I've mellowed a lot. 

My wife says I'm less tolerant of people now. I haven't become super aggressive but sometimes it feels like really bad pmt and trying to give up smoking all rolled into one. Saying that- that hasn't happened for a while now so maybe I'm evening out. In everyday life though I think I'm more mellow- haven't smashed up the office once while I've been on T

I'm much more laid back. T isn't going to turn you into a rage monster whose only goal is to murder happiness contrary to popular belief. Everyone varies, but it seems like most of us relax a lot.

When I feel rage it's definitely stronger, but I have much better control of my emotions now than ever before, so I don't really notice. It's been amazing. That was one of my fears as well, but things have gotten so much better since I started T. Don't stress about it. If you're good emotionally when you start T, I think you'll know what I mean.

PS Dude. You're gonna look so boss.

I think everyone forgets that the point of T here is to raise your levels to a normal male level. So if normal male levels meant raging beasts, then we'd probably still be back in the stone age. Or something.

That being said, I was a laid back person to begin with and I'm still laid back. There is only one thing that really pisses me off, and to be fair, now that I'm on T, it really pisses me off but I think that's more because I allow myself a little emotion now. Before I just shut everything off in order to not feel pain.

Things you might feel: laid back/calm because you have less stress related to transition.
More assertive: if you're more self confident because of testosterone and feel like standing up for yourself that could come across as anger.

No, I'm far mellower and calmer than I used to be. I'm on weekly injections. I have heard - it could be a rumor - that biweekly shots, gels or any other treatment that results in fluctuating levels can lead to irritability, but not outright aggression or rage.

Not everyone. I had more trouble controlling my anger when I was estrogen-driven than I do now. I am less willing/able to follow interpersonal nuances than I used to be, though, so I'm probably not even noticing some stuff that might have bothered me before I went on T.

I can't overstate how much T helped me to feel more stable and in control, but all of transition has lowered my anger levels. Trying to live like a woman was incredibly stressful, and with that out of the equation I'm a lot calmer.

I was that raging beast before starting T, yelling at people every time they got a pronoun wrong. Now I'm so calm, rarely get mad at anyone, not even myself. When I do get angry, I am just quietly angry. Have not yelled at anyone for over a year.

The only thing I've noticed is I'm less patient in the car. ok seriously grumpy at times, but not acting out on it or anything

I feel like my fuse has shortened a bit. especially with my parents. i still live at home and i feel like everything they say is annoying and i can feel it boil right in front of my face even if what they say isn't that bad.

as far as getting mad at other people random people i cna't say i've noticed a difference.
if anything i feel lik it's much more difficult to get anxious or really sad, I haven't cried once since i've been on T and before it was a common occurance i just can't seem to work up tears so easily.

Quote from: christopher on August 20, 2014, 07:56:45 PM
The only thing I've noticed is I'm less patient in the car. ok seriously grumpy at times, but not acting out on it or anything

My road rage turned into bouts of loudly singing disco. Maybe that's a side effect?

Really though I think it affects everyone differently. A lot of changes that happen I think is just becoming more of what you are. I was a goofy person. Now I laugh almost constantly.

No. I was a rage monster to begin with and I'm still a rage monster now, but no more than I was and now I have a much easier time calming down.

IMHO, "T rage" is a myth. 

It's certainly not normal.

Haven't you ever wondered why violent and sexual crimes are almost entirely a male phenomenon?

When I first started I noticed my anger was 'different' I'm the type that is slow to boil and slower to let go of anger, but when I got on T I would get angry and immediately catch myself going 'it's not that deep' I feel mellower and I am a lot calmer bc the stress levels of passing have gone down majorly. T rage is a myth, and some people try and use that myth to be jerks to people. Sometimes I have spikes of hormones after a shot and I tend to stay away from others on my shot day because I'm going through that downward slope right before my injection. I'm easier to get grumpy, but I don't use it as an excuse if I say something that comes out short.

Quote from: campenella on August 20, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
When I first started I noticed my anger was 'different' I'm the type that is slow to boil and slower to let go of anger, but when I got on T I would get angry and immediately catch myself going 'it's not that deep' I feel mellower and I am a lot calmer bc the stress levels of passing have gone down majorly. T rage is a myth, and some people try and use that myth to be jerks to people. Sometimes I have spikes of hormones after a shot and I tend to stay away from others on my shot day because I'm going through that downward slope right before my injection. I'm easier to get grumpy, but I don't use it as an excuse if I say something that comes out short.

Brain chemistry has everything to do with anger and aggression. Testosterone's affect on the presence of certain chemicals may or may not increase or decrease aggression. There is all kinds of recent research that shows high levels of testosterone impacts aggressive tendencies and affects other hormones such as oxytocin. Actually, we know that testosterone has a negative impact on oxytocin. We also know that women naturally have higher levels of Oxytocin and serotonin so we are more passive, understanding and forgiving. It's why we form stronger social bonds with other humans and pets. Testosterone; however, has been found to counteract the effects of Oxytocin which is partly why men - generally speaking - are much less likely to be generous and trusting and more likely to react aggressively or be hostile. Funny how this accurately describes the social world we live in and current research has validated this over and over again.

Quote from: Natalie on August 20, 2014, 11:44:07 PM
Brain chemistry has everything to do with anger and aggression. Testosterone's affect on the presence of certain chemicals may or may not increase or decrease aggression. There is all kinds of recent research that shows high levels of testosterone impacts aggressive tendencies and affects other hormones such as oxytocin. Actually, we know that testosterone has a negative impact on oxytocin. We also know that women naturally have higher levels of Oxytocin and serotonin so we are more passive, understanding and forgiving. It's why we form stronger social bonds with other humans and pets. Testosterone; however, has been found to counteract the effects of Oxytocin which is partly why men - generally speaking - are much less likely to be generous and trusting and more likely to react aggressively or be hostile. Funny how this accurately describes the social world we live in and current research has validated this over and over again.

Hormone replacement treatment is to simulate normal male levels not 'elevated'. You say it may or may not increase/decrease aggression, but then go on to imply that men all have high levels and such. I don't enjoy stereotypes of the sexes either, it just gives some people excuses to display behavior that is 'appropriate' instead of  learning to control and take responsibility for their actions. T rage when getting on Testosterone is a myth. If you were already an angry person you will still be angry, but your rage may feel different. Blaming it on Testosterone instead of taking responsibility for yourself is self defeatist. The social world we live is buoyed by stereotypes of gender roles. 'Men are violent and can't help it' is a myth many feminist would love to tear into. Part of growing up is learning to control your anger aggression and how you handle stress. There is no reason to spread misinformation and unfounded fear. I'm not in the mood to be arguing about what women and men are more likely to do because of brain chemistry because it does nothing but uphold the mythos about sex and gender trans people hear all the time.

Trans men will hear that they better not go on T because it will turn them into monsters,if you weren't a monster before then there's not a reason to listen to the hype. I still relate to things in the same way I did before, but my anger has changed it's shape. Instead of boiling up my rage and being untrusting of anyone but clinging onto toxic people I have learned to make my own space, get rid of things and people who I do not agree with and avoid situations where I know I am uncomfortable.  I was the opposite inside of my brain of what female born persons are stated to be naturally even though I displayed the traits I knew were 'gender appropriate' and it wasn't because I knew I was trans all along or anything.

Quote from: campenella on August 21, 2014, 12:09:06 AM
Hormone replacement treatment is to simulate normal male levels not 'elevated'. You say it may or may not increase/decrease aggression, but then go on to imply that men all have high levels and such. I don't enjoy stereotypes of the sexes either, it just gives some people excuses to display behavior that is 'appropriate' instead of  learning to control and take responsibility for their actions. T rage when getting on Testosterone is a myth. If you were already an angry person you will still be angry, but your rage may feel different. Blaming it on Testosterone instead of taking responsibility for yourself is self defeatist. The social world we live is buoyed by stereotypes of gender roles. 'Men are violent and can't help it' is a myth many feminist would love to tear into. Part of growing up is learning to control your anger aggression and how you handle stress. There is no reason to spread misinformation and unfounded fear. I'm not in the mood to be arguing about what women and men are more likely to do because of brain chemistry because it does nothing but uphold the mythos about sex and gender trans people hear all the time.

Trans men will hear that they better not go on T because it will turn them into monsters,if you weren't a monster before then there's not a reason to listen to the hype. I still relate to things in the same way I did before, but my anger has changed it's shape. Instead of boiling up my rage and being untrusting of anyone but clinging onto toxic people I have learned to make my own space, get rid of things and people who I do not agree with and avoid situations where I know I am uncomfortable.  I was the opposite inside of my brain of what female born persons are stated to be naturally even though I displayed the traits I knew were 'gender appropriate' and it wasn't because I knew I was trans all along or anything.

Well said.