Welcome to the site.
Yup. It all sounds very familiar. I don't mean to sound patronizing or taking away legitimacy. Those of us who have come to accept our trans nature tend to have a version of your history. Thanks so much for sharing. It is not always easy.
Being trans(as you seem to realize) is something you have to accept. I think therapists and counselors are very important in our journeys but even they cannot fully diagnose us. It is the only condition I am aware of that we have to diagnose and accept ourselves before the medical community can really help us. In accepting, I don't mean we are happy about it. I know very few who are happy to be transgender(some of us like the fact that we can look at things from two perspectives- to a degree).
I think the questions and comments Seshatneferw included were pretty spot on. I think you should try to answer them but also run them by a therapist. Is it possible you could get to a gender therapist? You said you came out to your Mom. That is great. If she has any questions we have a Significant Others section here for not just romantic SOs but family members too. (
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,26.0.html) Back to what I was saying- therapists are there not to tell you who you are or what you should be. They are there to help guide you through the maze of questions, confusions and doubts.
In my observations, it is true that it never goes away. Even when we don't know what it is. I was living life for 50 years before I really could put the thoughts, words and acceptance together. However, I realized that I have always had severe depression and the urges to self harm but they had gotten worse with age. I had urges that I thought were just a kink(not thinking that they showed up before puberty). Not trying to make this about me. Just trying to share how it kind of works differently but similarly too in many of us.
I have friends on here that have a saying. If you are worried you are trans and visit a site like this, you probably are. It seems that most cis folks don't really question it. Some play with the thoughts but it does not stick around, usually. I found when I got to the point of admitting to myself that my dysphoria increased hugely as well.
I guess I am out of thoughts. I can't tell you who or what you are or what you should do. That is ultimately up to you. I can do what others here can, give ideas or suggestions. Most importantly, I can say that while you may feel like a freak or isolated; you are not alone. It is pretty rare but there are a lot of us.
Oh yes. We also have an area here called Youth Talk that is for members under 18. While we can talk about our experiences as adults, we recognize it might be more helpful to talk to members of the same age.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,496.0.htmlI also want to share some links with you. They are mostly welcome information and the rules that govern the site. If you have not had a chance to look through them, please take a moment:
Things that you should read
Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.
With warmth,
Joanna