In the early 90s I went to the famous Johns Hopkins gender clinic (whatever its name was) for an evaluation.  It turned out they were not much help because I didn't fit neatly into one of their categories. 

After a full day of tests and questions they became exasperated with me.  Finally one of the psychologists burst out: "But lots of men wear women's clothes!"

There is a lot of shame and guilt associated with cross-dressing, but it really is innocuous – it hurts no one.  If it becomes obsessive or channeled through anti-social behavior it is bad, but the cross-dressing itself is harmless.  Some male-bodied people feel the need to dress in women's clothes to achieve some sort of inner balance.  Lots of men wear women's clothes.

- Kate

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No doubt my thinking will not be popular here. I believe I have a mental illness as my ache to x dress overwhelms me on a daily basis. This is not normal male wholesome healthy behavior and is regarded by the state as a mental illness. Therefore can I expect to be treated successfully by the State or a Medical Insurance Company. Has anyone here experience of undertaking a 'Transgender Therapy' to a successful conclusion. IE Is there a way to happily stop doing it.
Colline

Hi

I Have several reactions.

It is highly unlikely that you could get successful treatment as you define it. No one can help you walk on water at room temperature in your bare feet. Some things are not possible.

The DSM is a sometimes useful, but generally overblown collection of mixed evidence, opinion and wishful thinking arrived at through a human and political process. It is not scientific fact per se and not everything in it is fact. I could argue that its existence does more harm than good. Most emotional problems are problems not illnesses. There are real mental illnesses - eg. schizophrenia - but crossdressing is not one of them. And most DSM "illnesses" cannot be reliably successfully treated the way a broken leg or an infection can.

As others have said - regardless of what is in this DSM book - cross-dressing is not a mental illness. One could argue being guilty or anxious about cross-dressing are symptoms of a problem, but most likely that problem is lack of self-acceptance or fear of social censure. It is harmful to force oneself to be something one is not (other than in play, where it is fun and enlightening). It would surprise me if outside of fundamentalist religious groups who claim to cure homosexuality (not credible) anyone claimed to cure crossdressing (other than by transitioning). 

I have yet to find the words "normal male functioning" as defined by society to be healthy. The more I study it, the less healthy it looks and feels. The way we socialize men - to be less able to deal with relationships and feelings, to avoid doctors and often self-care, to praise bullying and controlling behavior, to praise violence in some contexts, and so on is not healthy. Many men do not follow the stereotypes but many do.

Lastly, the idea we can do anything we set our minds to is overstated and flawed. Trying hard and thinking positively can increase your odds, but some things are not possible. You might try meditating on the "Serenity Prayer."

I had a feeling that this was going to get out of hand.

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