hi im em, i went to the doctor a few weeks ago and asked how i would do on T. she said i would go crazy. im really discuraged and i was wondering if there was anyone who has severe bi polar and how you made the change?
also i finally talked to my mom who is a nurse and she had taled to my therapist who said that a lot of ppl that go on T and do basically the whole change end up commiting suicide and i was curious as to how my bi polar would affect my chances.. i really do want to be a man, i want to feel confident in myself and know who i am and my mom says thats what the ones who commited suicide wanted..
am i doing this for the wrong reasons?? should i not do it??

Quote from: elmo422 on July 11, 2012, 07:50:08 PM
hi im em, i went to the doctor a few weeks ago and asked how i would do on T. she said i would go crazy. im really discuraged and i was wondering if there was anyone who has severe bi polar and how you made the change?
also i finally talked to my mom who is a nurse and she had taled to my therapist who said that a lot of ppl that go on T and do basically the whole change end up commiting suicide and i was curious as to how my bi polar would affect my chances.. i really do want to be a man, i want to feel confident in myself and know who i am and my mom says thats what the ones who commited suicide wanted..
am i doing this for the wrong reasons?? should i not do it??

There are people who committing suicide for a number of reason. I think you're mom is using that as a reason to stop you. If you feel its the best thing for you then go for it and don't let what one doctor tell you stop you,if i were you i would go see another doctor or therapist and see what they say and go from there.

It sounds like your therapist doesn't know what she is talking about. Does she actually have any experience with trans people? Her saying things like "a lot of people who transition commit suicide" just sounds like she is trying to scare you out of doing it. Yeah, some trans people commit suicide, but so do some non-trans people. And usually when people transition, it lessens suicidal thoughts, not make them worse. I would find a therapist that has experience with this and will actually talk to you about it openly instead of just throwing fake statistics at you.

As for how T would affect your bipolar symptoms, I am not sure, but I have seen some people say that it evened out the highs and lows. I highly doubt T would make it any "worse," but again I have no experience with this.

Whether or not transitioning is right for you is up to you, and only you. It sounds like your mother and therapist have been making this hard for you though by trying to frighten you.

Also, maybe you need more information on the changes that testosterone actually brings? Check this out: http://www.ftmguide.org/ttherapybasics.html

From that page you can click the icon in the top left and go back to the home page. It has a lot of information about all aspects of transitioning. There's also a topic on the home page called "Myths and Misconceptions about Testosterone" which might be helpful as well.

I would suggest getting a second opinion. I take medication for bi-polar and depression and have not gone crazy. I feel better and more confident. Maybe talk to a different therapist?

I'm sorry, but it sounds like your mom has a really bad perception of most people who want to transition. I really suggest getting a second opinion from someone who clearly has more information about HRT and it's effects on the body. A good idea would be to see an endocrinologist who has worked with people who have successfully transitioned before (the more, the merrier) and have them give an opinion on your current situation. Personally, I don't believe that testosterone alone is enough to make anyone go truly "crazy" - it's a sex hormone and if handled in the right dosing, I don't think severe issues are likely to occur.

Quote from: elmo422 on July 11, 2012, 07:50:08 PM
hi im em, i went to the doctor a few weeks ago and asked how i would do on T. she said i would go crazy. im really discuraged and i was wondering if there was anyone who has severe bi polar and how you made the change?
also i finally talked to my mom who is a nurse and she had taled to my therapist who said that a lot of ppl that go on T and do basically the whole change end up commiting suicide and i was curious as to how my bi polar would affect my chances.. i really do want to be a man, i want to feel confident in myself and know who i am and my mom says thats what the ones who commited suicide wanted..
am i doing this for the wrong reasons?? should i not do it??

Hi Em

i'm not sure what you mean by Bi poler? I am not that great in english.
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For what you was told I will say it sound very much like the same I had, When I first wanted to start T I was told it was illigal, and that it would make me ill, and that many transpeople who transitioned changed there mind became missary and killed themself. (got told so by my doctor and mother untill I later got to see another one who said it wasnt the caise and I could start with homones)

I am not going to lie, there is people chaging there mind, and there is a high suicide rate of trans folks before or after transition, But for most transfolks they feel better by transition to themself.

the depression is manly caused of all the issues and fights we have to go though, it would be hard for any person, some people its harden than others..
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I also thing your told so because people are scared, As I said before theres many trans folks who also is very happy on T, me as an exemple cant imaginate going off T and have became alot more happy.

its just important your informated and responsible.

You should know diffently why you take T, what there is to expect from it and not,
You should be sure to go on it on a healthy way, having a doctor to make sure your taking the right dose and so on,

I would advice you to try seach for a new gender therapist (or whoever gives homones) who has experience with it, and then start on a low dose like testrogel just to check how you feel about it,
if it dosent feel right you can always stop right after.

If you see a -supportive- therapist on a regular basis while taking T, you can work on strategies to deal with the mood swings and feelings that come with such big changes. There's no reason you shouldn't be given an opportunity to start T if you feel it's the next step, but it IS a big one. You should build a strong support system to help you through the process, just my two cents.

thank you every one for your opinions.. i will look into it more..