Forgive me for jumping in so quickly, being fairly new and all.
Jane is right, in my opinion. I have yet to go to a therapist or counselor in order to diagnosed. I have visited with them to work through issues that I found troublesome, but never to get an imprimatur concerning my authenticity. I've know who I am for half a century -- a lot longer than most of them have been in practice.
At the same time, families are a much different bag of weasels! When I came out to my wife and children, my son moved out of the house and would not speak to me for almost two years. I, of course, was held to blame for that situation. It's easy to say now, but I remained resolute about my identity. I also remained available for anyone who wanted to talk. Eventually, it became too much of an inconvenience to leave me at home for every holiday and special occasion, and relationships began anew. Was it hard? Absolutely! I felt terrible when I was abandoned to my "perversity" but I would tell myself over and over that I was not to blame for wanting to be honest, with myself and others.
I have siblings who still won't have anything to do with me but to "heck" with them if they can't take a joke. At the same time that I was be ostracized by my family, I was expanding the circle of very close friends who love me. I am a very lucky womyn in that regard.
I suppose what I'm getting at is that once the worst has happened, it's over. Believe me, you can't undo the announcement and say, "Ha! Ha! Just kidding!" Right after you out yourself, the adjustment period begins.
Becky
