Common Gender Dysphoria Misdiagnosis!

[@eviebr83]

This was definitely the case for me with depression, starting from early puberty onwards. I just grow up assuming my depression was the issue and not a symptom of the real issue that was going. Once I came out and had some counselling, the depression has massively retreated. Not absolutely gone but extremely manageable and even just knowing the cause of it gives me much greater control over it.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. Depression is incredibly common one, often alongside of anxiety as well.

[@eviebr83]

@@DRZPHD I have some anxiety but I was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago and I tend to wave off any issue as "just my fibro playing up". I know it's possibly unhealthy but I refuse to go back on any medication ever since the initial trial of Lyrica, valium and anti depressants. I'm mostly good at managing the flare ups now.

[@bellaxxi4116]

Same with me honestly. I tried literally everything to get rid of it and it always somehow came back. Then at age 20 (I’m about to turn 25) I started learning about this and being transgender and I also read life stories from people like Samantha Lux and I kept saying “why does my life almost match theirs to a T???” Then I came out and started socially transitioning. Haven’t started medically transitioning at all yet however as I just can’t find out what to do next.

[@davefisher1840]

My gender dysphoria was masked by OCD for over 70 years. And I didn’t know I had OCD. When I discovered I was transgender the OCD immediately went away and has not come back for well over a year. As usual thanks for your helpful video!

[@DRZPHD]

Yes thats so common.

[@DJMightyChip]

So hear me out. There's a lot of focus on diagnosing dysphoria, but especially in older trans folk who have not addressed their gender identity this can be pretty difficult to pin down. We've had a lifetime of explaining off gender dysphoria as any number of other things. As some of my trans friends have pointed out to me, euphoria is a much easier and clearly recognizable indicator. When doing things to match what your gender should be (in my case, wearing nail polish and makeup with feminine contours), how does that make you feel? Does it bring you a surprising sense of relief or - even better - a strong feeling of joy? Does it make that person looking back in the mirror not seem so foreign? Obviously this needs to be done in a supportive environment where you feel safe to explore such things. I think sometimes that can point out a person's identity much more clearly, especially for those exploring this aspect of themselves much later in life. EDIT: cleaned up some spelling

[@DRZPHD]

Yes absolutely! Great points. Exploring gender expression can help illuminate if GD is present.

[@robynrox]

As a trans woman, I had that strong feeling of joy having explored my gender identity before I decided to transition! It wasn't the only indication but it was the one which "cracked the egg," so to speak.

[@GRORDtheHORDE]

Definitely agree! Rationalized my ever more gender neutral (afab) presentation as just getting lazy and being deep into parenthood. Finally allowed myself the possibility I might be trans and felt extreme euphoria and comfort in a binder and masculine clothes. Now that I've allowed myself to see my potential, I feel dysphoria about anything that denies me that euphoria.

[@MichelleShemancik]

I wonder if this happened to me. I first tried using a lip balm tinted with a little red, wearing a posture “bra” under my clothing, wearing a clear glossy nail polish, then one with a slight pink to it. I wonder if it was my way of “coming out”, feeling empowered. I went a mtf therapist for depression & anger issues. I was surprised (relieved) when she diagnosed me with GD. I had never heard of GD prior. In retrospect, why was I surprised? It was one place I could safely go “dressed” and not worry about judgement. She’s the one who encouraged me to attend the Keystone Conference (trans oriented) & get my ears pierced. Both were so empowering. She started me a a journey I didn’t know I should be on.

[@trublgrl]

Just a silly story I'd like to relate. Years ago, when I was pretty much fully aware of my GD, but unable or unwilling to seek professional counsel about it, I went on a journey of weight loss and feminization, growing my hair out and changing my wardrobe so I was more androgynous, etc. So one day, I went out and bought a pair of yoga pants, and some tanks, pretty standard stuff I would wear, but when I looked in the mirror, I was just shocked at how good my hips looked, how my body had become so much more attractive and feminine (Just through diet, mind you, no HRT) and I was thrilled. I started jumping up and down. I was literally jumping for joy. I had only ever thought that was an expression, but I couldn't contain my happiness in that moment, my joy had to express itself in movement. Of course, GD doesn't give me constant euphoria. Certainly I still have anxiety about getting clocked, and fear I'm going down the wrong road, and frustration that I'm still not perfect decades later, but yeah, being trans feels really good sometimes. ♥

[@leeem2354]

Had THE worst social anxiety for decades. I could not make a phone call or make a doctors appointment or anything. Being able to be functional and actually look forward to meeting and being around people is a massive, massive shift in my life. It's early days but I think my depression which has dogged me for almost 20 years is getting better too.

[@DRZPHD]

SO sorry to hear. Social anxiety can really have a strong effect on daily actives.

[@wabbadu1]

Great video. I've experienced depression, eating disorder, social anxiety, self harm & substance abuse all stemming from GD and hoping it would go away. Back when I was going through puberty in the mid 1980's there was next to no information on GD. We only knew the lies and misconceptions that the media portrayed the trans community as. It was a very scary time. Thank you for taking the time to do these videos and this channel. It really helps a lot when dysphoria hits hard.

[@DRZPHD]

So sorry to hear of clustered symptoms you suffered. Very painful. Yeah the 80s and 90s were no joke and brutal on trans community. Glad the content is helpful.

[@amyashlyn9293]

I can relate to this. I spent most of my adult life struggling with what appeared to be depression and social insecurity, and self medicating with cigarettes, alcohol, etc. When I eventually broke down and became suicidal, I got psychotherapy and was diagnosed with major depression and anxiety disorders. No one guessed that underneath all that was gender dysphoria from an almost totally repressed transgender identity. Amazingly, when I finally put the pieces together and came out as trans, my severe depression and social insecurity seemed to evaporate, and I experienced gender euphoria instead. Unfortunately, it took me more than 50 years to get there. On the other hand, I feel (and even look) more than 20 years younger.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I am sorry it was masked for you for a long time. Glad to hear you are much better off addressing root problem.

[@kaleypixley6128]

My depression was diagnosed as caused by ADHD. At the time I could not tell the military I was suffering with gender dysphoria. I also had intermittent social anxiety. When the ban was released and I was able to be myself, all of these issues started subsiding after I was an,e to transition. I hope so,done reads this and know they’re not alone. Thank you for posting this.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I am sorry you experienced a mis diagnosis. It can stall treatment.

[@jayer9514]

thank you, I've ADHD, social anxiety, possible depression however I have just begun to become my true self even though I'm 40+ It's very comforting to know I am not alone, Thanks xx

[@BesaDelCielo14x]

Honestly this video made me cry. Next week i have my consultation with a doctor to begin HRT as a trans enbie individual. I'm so hopeful now that SOME more problems might be somewhat alleviated by feeling like I am more myself on the outside. I'm overwhelmed with your kindness and professionalism with which you have addressed these issues. Thank you

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@mllecamill3]

OMG, another video which touches so much of me. I have had social anxiety since forever, since childhood. I have an ADHD diagnosis, I had a drinking and smoking problem, and I suspect also autism. I came to the same conclusion the video talks about. "It all makes so much sense now!" And yes, it really does. I realized this as well in the last few days. :O

[@danib2944]

I can vouch for the correlation between my abuse of alcohol and my dysphoria. When I started to address the dysphoria, the other was put into perspective and became more manageable. Thank you again Dr Z for addressing real issues on this platform! You’re a gift! 💝

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing.

[@mianthonyvizca6373]

Thank you for another informational video. I began crossdressing and abusing alcohol and substances. I struggle with addiction as I use this to cope with my gender dysphoria. Separating the addiction and risky behaviors from the crossdressing or transitioning to has been the hardest thing in life. I started hrt 4 months and just switched over to estradiol injections from the pill and it’s honestly my MDD has improved a little. I’m still hiding my authenticity out of fear. I’ll be moving to northern Colorado my main focus will be to hopefully find meetings and support groups. Feeling alone is often why I turn to alcohol and substance abuse or self harm. Thank you Dr. Z.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@v3r0nik]

Completely accurate for me. Depression, anxiety, sex addiction, self harm, anorexia, all of which have improved drastically as my therapist encouraged me to, as you said in this video, focus on the underlying gender dysphoria.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I am glad you dealt with the underlying root issue.

[@cinnamonsparrowdesigns]

If I'm with someone I feel safe with my "social anxiety" lessens so I always suspected it wasn't truly that and more stemming from my dysphoria. The anxiety attacks and feelings of intense sadness I always knew were b/c of this too. I know it's not chemical depression, but more b/c of my situation. I also now realize my thinking I might have ADHD is b/c of this too! OMG so much to overcome. One day I'll be free hopefully and can feel better and deal with these other issues. Thanks for making this video!

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@miyahollands6136]

hi Dr. Z thank you for this video, this was me in a nutshell! I had been living with an eating disorder fuelled depression for so long, it became normal. its that old saying familiarity breeds contemt. I didn't discover this connection, until my egg cracked and I started dealing with my gender dysphoria. I am now in my 50s, but I have always had a feeling towards exploring my gender since my early 20's. I sometime wish their was this sort of clear advice back then, it would have saved me so much pain and struggle

[@CarlosHernandez-jv6wk]

Me: Oh, this video looks interesting. Also me: Has suspected symptoms of depression, ADHD, and paranoia of social interactions in self for a while and is a shopaholic. Me again: *Sweats nervously.*

[@DRZPHD]

Ohhhh remember I am sharing information in general terms. It does not mean that what I say is fully applicable to you. Best to seek support of a therapist in your area.

[@CarlosHernandez-jv6wk]

@@DRZPHD I concur, and I ma mindful of that. I fully intend to discuss this with my therapist when I meet with her next session. :)

[@billybraswell5426]

OMG Dr Z I am 64 and just started HRT last month but before ADHT became discussed I always had a hard time staying focused I struggled in school and now that I am dealing with my gender dysphoria I am now noticing that i can stay focused on something and not wonder off as bad as before. Hopfully as I continue working with my therapist and the HRT it will continue to improve.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I hope so too.

[@minacarroll8867]

Depression, social phobia, ocd, overeating. I tick a lot of boxes. Thankyou for this video 👍

[@DRZPHD]

Wish you all the best.

[@r.w.bottorff7735]

At the start of the video I'm pretty certain I'm going to hear some familiar terms. I have major depression, CPTSD and anorexia. Midway through: you mentioned addiction and social anxiety too, these also apply to me. I self medicated for years to take the edge off the daily dysphoria. Controlling my weight too is an expression of stress with dysphoria, because at times in my life, overly managing my weight was my only 'safe' method of expressing my idea of myself to the outside world. I wish I could see my therapist more often, but her caseload is huge and my area is flooded with similar problems at other institutions, so thank you for being here in between.

[@TJ-yl5ds]

I had always struggled with my weight and depression. It seemed like eating was the only thing that made me happy. A year and a half ago I was 530 lbs when things came to a head and I had to stop repressing and face my gender issues. I started hormones 16 months ago and after being on them for a few weeks I noticed I had lost some weight. I went with it and since then I have lost 180 lbs.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best!

[@lorezyra]

Wow! Amazing progress! I used to weight over 350 pounds at my worst. I've dropped below 230 pounds (over the course of several years), but I'd like to get below 200. Once you get below 300, you can start light jogging. Before that you have to take care of your knees and walk everywhere. You'll get there!

[@junerei8148]

Hi Dr Z. Distractions obsessions and addictions had been such an all pervasive aspect of my life for decades I did not believe I would ever be able to stop, I felt like I was merely watching, unable to effect any lasting change. I literally stumbled upon the terms Transgender and Dysphoria while trying to learn about why I couldn’t stop crossdressing and suddenly EVERYTHING I’d felt and experienced for 35+ made sense. I won’t say that I’ve been completely ‘cured’ (might be that those unhealthy ingrained habits will always haunt me?) but what I can say with 100% certainty is that since coming out as Trans and beginning HRT for the first time I feel like I am living my life as I choose and going in a direction of my choice, wherever that may lead. Thank you so much for all the phenomenal material you provide and the love and effort you invest in helping people. ❤️🇨🇦

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@k.lambda4948]

I know I mentioned autism/neurodiversity previously, so I'll add some more of my thoughts as I've been progressing here. The autism/gender dysphoria intersection is almost impossible for me to untangle, because both of them involve constructing an inner world that takes precedence over the outer one. The autistic aspects of my experience (sound & light sensitivities, problems with neurotypical social practices, &cet) make me distrust the messages I receive from society around me. It also means that my AMAB experience has been substantially different from everyone around me, and I have always felt a much greater affinity to the women around me. Additionally, to the degree that autism has a gendered presentation (which is a subject of current research), my autistic presentation is *much* more aligned with the feminine presentation of autism, because I *have* learned how to cope with social situations by masking &cet. And finally, LGBTQ experience is much more prevalent among the autist population, so I feel like the autism story as a root cause of my transgender experience has a lot of explanatory power. Listening to you today though, I also hear another story about how gender dysphoria could create a similar alienation provoking withdrawal to a self-referential world. And when I cross-reference this with the ideas of experiencing trauma through our relationship to our own bodies, it feels similar to my experiences of sensory overwhelm with autism. On top of this, there is some recent research that autism might have epigenetic roots in the pre-natal hormonal environment, which is *so* similar to the transgendered brain developmental theory, that I can't ignore it. SO on the question of what is really the *root*, I am left with no clear answers. I know that while I have been pursuing an adult ASD diagnosis, that the femme me has taken something of a back seat. But there is a complex combination of factors in play: social anxiety over dealing with a new therapeutic/power relationship on top of disturbances at home and work call on the skills which masc me normally handles. Perhaps both the GD and the ASD have the same roots in my pre-natal experience, and the question i need to answer is what makes me feel best right now. But of course, "now" is intimately involved with both the past and the future, so transition is still a thing to explore. Ok, I am starting to ramble. The beauty and pain of intersectionality is not being able to tell what is causing the situation, so it is unclear how to deal with it. I feel like my autism leads me to a NB inner life, but to express that life authentically in the context of our society, I need to present myself in a primarily femme manner. I know that my experience with DIY HRT has made me feel a *lot* better in terms of emotional balance and experience, so that's the primary avenue of gender therapy I am pursuing. I am working with other aspects of femme presentation, as well, but my autistic alienation from social cues leaves me with a fear of never passing because it's the same problem I have with neurotypicals anyway: neurotypical culture is utterly baffling.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing your experiences. It is sometimes very challenging to sort out what is at the root of the issue.

[@tanhy7334]

I feel like this is quite similar to my own personal experience as well....I'm still exploring and haven't done any transitioning(if I ever will) but it's uncanny that you describe it so similar to my experience. I also fear not fitting in with female social environment because I find it even harder to navigate it than male social environment because there are alot more social cues and innate unspoken rules that I have difficulty grasping.

[@johnbares4744]

Thank you Dr. Z for another helpful video, I do suffer from depression, and anger, but when I embrace my feminine energy is like I’m a completely different person, I am a male but I definitely do not feel like one nor want to be one, please continue making more videos like this one, it’s more helpful then you may realize, thank you again for all your wonderful work and information.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and glad to hear the content is helpful.

[@johnnie2638]

Though I've never been diagnosed with depression I've known for years the overwhelming feelings of hoplessness that accompany gender dysphoria. I'm going through a particularly difficult time right now. After leaving the gym last night I got in my car & all of a sudden overwhelming feelings like I'd messed up my whole life came rushing upon me. All of a sudden I was crying driving home. I had feelings like everything was my fault & I thought these feelings were attributable to the fact that I'm stalled only about half-way through transition & I'm approaching 59. I have feelings like I'm running out of time. I'm trapped in a dead relationship where we both know there is no more love but both of us are struggling financially so for the time being we've agreed to continue to share a house but I want out so much! Thanks for another good video, Dr. Z. Very apt with regards to my circumstance.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I am so sorry to hear of what you are going through.

[@johnnie2638]

@@DRZPHD Thank you for your videos. I look forward to them every Thursday. They help me understand the complexities of gender dysphoria.

[@obsidianjane4413]

I know its no great consolation, but you are not alone. Hell, I feel like I could have written your post, its so close to my situation. Except I'm only 50. ;+P

[@johnnie2638]

@@obsidianjane4413 Thank you. I'm sure you know how it is. There's a line from a Jimmy Buffett song that goes, "I've had good days & bad days & going half mad days". I've loved that one line for many years because it just really summed me up. Sometimes it feels like you've got it under control & later that same day you're screaming into a pillow so no one else in the house will hear. It's good to know I'm not alone. Take care and have a wonderful day.

[@cryokitty44]

Soo much of this rings true for me. ADHD: I was diagnosed as a kid. Thought it had just kind gone away around adolescence because what I now realize is dysphoria had masked so much of it. 4-5 months into HRT I started noticing the ADHD again but now I can kind of separate what's dysphoria or what's ADHD. Depression: miss diagnosed about 7 years ago. I've thought I had since about adolescence. Since coming out and even more since starting HRT has pretty much just faded away. Still some with the ADHD at times mainly from just being burntout. Social anxiety: Also miss diagnosed 7 years ago along with depression. This has faded a lot with HRT aswell. Thinking back on my experience with that therapist I don't blame her for the miss diagnosis and remember her asking questions during the first session that I now realize we're meant to find out if gender dysphoria might be involved (have you ever worn clothes of another gender? Have you ever wished you were another gender? Ect) I was just afraid to admit it at the time. Addiction, self harm: This has faded away since actually managing and dealing with dysphoria in healthier ways. Might have a few drinks out with friends once in a while but otherwise no real urge to, and nothing like before. Even finally cut out nicotine as well.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@berf9445]

I had anorexia for 10 years before I knew I was transgender. It was only after I really realized that a large part of my eating disorder was to de-feminize my body. I had a photo when I was really sick, and I always loved this photo of me, and looking at it now, its because I have no hips, and no chest at all. I wanted to get rid of these female characteristics so bad, without really even knowing it or understanding it.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing.

[@Reed5016]

I have struggled with social anxiety and depression ever since I was in middle school. Which was also around the time I started puberty. I remember feeling so disconnected from my peers, and hating how everything was as increasingly becoming gendered. As a kid pre-puberty, everything is so much easier. AFAB and AMAB kids weren’t treated so differently, and even physically, we weren’t that different. But all of that changed in middle school. And that’s ironically when my anxiety and depression really started, as well as extreme dysphoria.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

It might be possible in my case, because I did not even realize dysphoria was even present until after I had accepted my nonbinary identity. I had certainly been looking for signs of dysphoria throughout my questioning phase, but my depression and chronic pain had comprised the dominant reality for most of my life. Therefore I always deflected to those, thinking there was no way I could have dysphoria. It didn't occur to me that depression, rather than being the end-all diagnosis, could be an ideopathic symptom of something else. The best analogy I can give is that the depression was like a suit of cursed armor with inward-facing spikes. I had gotten so used to wearing it, and showing that side of myself to the world, because it made me feel secure and made me come across as tough and battle-hardened. Yet it was hiding a deeper vulnerability the whole time. It wasn't until the depression weakened that I was able to look beneath the surface, and it wasn't until I started to peel away its layers that I realized just how badly I'd been hurt. When I reexamined my life after discovering my identity, I found I do in fact have a lot of the classic signs of dysphoria. I've had to learn to not instinctively deflect to, "But it's obviously caused by something else."

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@apocalypse12345]

Half or more of my depression has gone onse I acknowledged that my dysphoria is the cause of both depression and anxiety. .. ❤ when I used to identify as gay I was not comfortable, I felt it does not align with my feelings and needs , and my psychological problems .. I feel I'm more 💕 thank you DR z awareness is the first step to heal

[@Mistyfaraday]

I sent suffered from Social anxiety most of my life and now I know I also suffered from gender dysphoria. Growing up I didn’t know anything about gender dysphoria but I knew that I was feeling that I wish I was female instead of male. I did find that once I divided to transition and began dressing as a woman the Social Anxiety seemed to disappear. Too bad I didn’t find out till I was 59 years old:(

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I am sorry it took a while.

[@mirandalebel6983]

I feel that this video was made specifically for me. I consider myself really introverted and shy. As a child, I had significant of anxiety of interacting socially. This is something that I have been able to control as I aged. I also at times struggled with focus particularly school. It always seemed that the world stopped in the classroom and I became incredibly bored. My brain was going at the speed of light and I would complete the work in minutes and lose interest. As I age, I sometimes get this feeling when sleeping; my thoughts buzz like a bee hive. I didn't recognize feelings of dysphoria until much later in life. Even now, such moments are very fleeting. I feel it intensely and let it go. When I have experimented, I have very strong feelings of gender euphoria that last a while. This video made so much sense in light of my struggles, Thank You!

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and glad to hear content was helpful.

[@obsidianjane4413]

Depression: Check. ADHD: Check. Social anxiety: Check. Body dysmorphia: Check. Suicidal and danger seeking: Check. Gender dysphoria is fun! And interesting artifact of the above is that when you are completely wrecked by them in ordinary life, trans stuff motivation and desire remain intact. Even when I am zero energy and scatter brained, I can spend hours single mindedly killing hairs and going running.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. Sorry to hear on so many checks.

[@patriciahutson]

Young Lady you are so scary, that was me you were talking about, made me cry. At 67 i look back and oh why did i not meeet you in 1968. Many struggles over the years trying to fit in, to no avail, spilt my fears out to a very caring GP and Wallah, off to see Physcologist first then after 2 years a Physchaitrist . Both affirmed that yes indeed i was Transgender. Now living a great life with hurdles behind me. Many thanks for your insights into us the amazing survivours of lifes entanglements. Kia Kaha , UBIQUE

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I am glad the content is helpful.

[@user-nd7rd8jo6h]

I'm hoping (kinda crude, I know) that underlying disphoria contributed to some of my mental health or at the least now that I am away of and working on it that makes my mental health easier to work through. I more recently found the language that allowed Me to go "oh wait a minute" I masked over a lot of mine and sort of just was like "well everyone else says I look ideal and I don't know how to fix this stuff I don't like so I'm just gonna ignore that and just go with what everyone else is saying." So it was like yeah I felt good about myself but mostly like I felt good that other ppl think km attractive so I can feel confident that I look good cause of the reinforced feedback. But since I came out to myself it's like "hmmm u know I rarely think "I look good" it's just other ppl think I look good" which hey it could be a lot worst. But as someone whom identifies as Nonbinary yeah I don't need to flee the celebrated aspects of myself just cause their masculine but the part of me that needs to be cute and such has been hurting and since I've acknowledged and let myself feel that as I'm starting HRT soon. That disphoria really has been hitting, and it makes me feel like a hypochondriac or something. For me, I'm hoping HRT allows me to finally imbrace the femininity I hadn't been allowed or blocked off as opposed to being a vehicle to escape my masculinity like it is for some people.

[@perringoodall8879]

this has opened my eyes in understanding that im masking my gender dysphoria (not diagnosed by professional yet). i was traumatized as a baby by care givers, wet my bed until i was 6 (wore nappies), hated socialising and preferred being by myself (stayed introverted )well after my teens, ate food to suppress feelings/emotions, crossdressed in my early twenties (love the feeling/freedom) that it gives me. i need to see a therapist. thanks dr. z

[@DRZPHD]

Always best to seek a therapist in your area to clarify potential mis diagnosis.

[@luissonador]

For me, it was inattententive add and gender dysphoria. The depression vanished away, started to really get ahold on my maladaptive behaviors after add treatment, before that i had a real difficult time focusing on my activities of daily living. Everything has vanished away, except my add and gender dyshoria, which im really really really glad. 🙂

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing.

[@candycox3007]

Excellent show today! For me it’s having depression and using drinking as a coping tool. But I’ve realized that. Keep up the great job.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. Those coping strategies are common.

[@marti7343]

I am a trans MtoF person. I have had many years of psycho-therapy and analysis. I was diagnosed years ago with generalized anxiety. I wanted to be a girl from a young age, but only found the courage and resources to explore these feelings when I was older. I am convinced I am trans and now am beginning to live authentically which includes HRT. Dr. Z, you do not mention generalized anxiety as a gender dysphoria misdiagnosis. Frankly, nearly all my therapists could not know I struggled with my gender because I did not talk much about it and when I did I said I felt OK living as my birth gender. One therapist tried to help me deal with possibly being gay which I definitely am not. That was wrong. My current therapist is a gender therapist and she has helped me so much to come to terms with being trans. I do wonder sometimes if she has a bias, but she says she would tell me if she thought I was not trans. Honestly, if I was not trans I think I would know. After a recent gender crisis, a topic so wonderfully explained by Dr. Z in another video, did I realize that I was wrong to think I could ignore my gender identity. My generalized anxiety takes the form of a preoccupation with worrying about whether I am doing anything right. It has made me not like myself and has led to insomnia, though I think there may be other biological sources of that. I am quite financially insecure even though this has no basis in reality. I keep hoping coming to terms with my gender dysphoria will help relieve my anxiety. But, I must admit the anxiety remains. I would not say it has worsened, but dealing with my dysphoria and a lack of confidence with my transition is sometimes challenging. I am glad I finally acknowledge I am trans. I know my life is better for it. I now am more connected and at peace with who I am. I like myself so much more. I will keep looking for ways that my coming to terms with my gender can help relieve my generalized anxiety. Thanks Dr. Z for this great video.

[@DRZPHD]

Hi and thank you for sharing. One of the reasons I didn’t mention anxiety but agree I should have, is because it is one of the most common misdiagnosis, so common in fact that I erroneously assume everyone knows about it.

[@gabeajean9221]

Dr. Z, your videos always resonate with me, especially this one. Ive been previously diagnosed with anxiety depression and anorexia. Most of these things have resolved since starting transition. Your videos are so helpful. Are you planning on doing any in the future for loved ones of those struggling with gender dysphoria? I always struggle to find resources for my family that explain dysphoria in a comprehensive way.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you and yes, I am planning to make two separate videos one for family and one for partners.

[@kamariatoure42]

I love your channel Dr. Z! Keep up the amazing work. Love, Kamaria

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you!

[@Hydrocarbonateable]

Personally I'm of the opinion that depression, anxiety, self harm, and adhd are almost always secondary results of something else, usually something environmental caused by other people--abuse, war, oppression, shunning. (ofc there are some exceptions but that's not the point today). Good job dr Z making this video, I think more therapists need to know it

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and yes I agree that they also could be tied to that as well.

[@davefisher1840]

This is so true and very helpful. My gender dysphoria was masked by OCD. I also had some social anxiety. Once I found out I had gender dysphoria my OCD went away and so did most of my social anxiety.

[@DRZPHD]

So glad to hear.

[@xbloggs2317]

Tw: sexual violence I'm a trans man and when I lived as a cis woman, I presented as having what I can only describe as symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder. I was not diagnosed officially - I must make that clear - and I also substantially addressed it in therapy three years in, so while the symptoms were always there it was lessened and not completely controlling my behaviour. I have not been evaluated so can't know for sure whether I had it, but I was so completely driven by a need for certain types of attention. I'd experienced corrective sexual violence throughout my childhood/teenage years, and became completely dissociated from who I was. So when I then dressed feminine and got complemented by everyone for being attractive, it was the only time in my adult life I'd ever felt some sort of good about myself. I completely compulsively sought out this type of attention from men in all sorts of destructive ways and it was this horrible combination of not feeling like a proper person, hating myself deep down without even knowing myself or even being aware of it, and being completely reliant on attention from others (particularly men) to feel any semblance of relief. Being validated by men was the closest thing I had to feeling human. I started questioning my gender a few years ago, and some point into dressing more androgynously (it was a slow process) I suddenly stopped being constantly scared about what others thought of my physical appearance. Slowly and surely I've started feeling more like a person, and while it's crept up on me somewhat, I do feel like a complete human being now with an inherent, inner sense of self worth that's not tied to anything I do or what others think of me. It is instinctual now to value myself even when it's difficult, and I have a concept of what valuing myself means whereas couldn't even imagine what it meant before. I logically know the sort of things I used to say and do as a cis woman, but I can't even begin to imagine doing them now. It just feels fundamentally at odds with me. I would say that I still do really like attention - in that I find it fun. I'm definitely more sensitive to others' opinions of me than average I think. But I don't compulsively attention-seek, and I can cope with insecurities now by calming myself, talking to someone, or distracting myself (and then it goes away), but I only need to cope with them fairly rarely anyway. I'll feel significantly insecure maybe once per month, whereas I used to feel that way constantly. Other people have noticed it too that I'm no longer looking for constant reassurance. I also dislike attention sometimes now, and would prefer be somewhat anonymous. I'm not really sure if this is common or not but I am dying to hear if anyone has experienced similar. It's incredibly weird to me that something so big and I-thought-fundamental, a problem that chased me my entire adult life, has just stopped being a problem upon social transition. It's so strange to me.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@malekruby4320]

Wauw.. you are absolutely amazing! Thank you for the accurate information! Subscribed!

[@DRZPHD]

You are most welcome.

[@goblin3784]

i definitely am gonna need to get evaluated after seeing this video you hit the nail on the head

[@DRZPHD]

Wishing you all the best.

[@dr.redphdleasurestudies.5399]

Anxiety, depression, etc. are pretty understandable under the circumstances. I remember in the first grade my mom took me to the Dr because I was lethargic and withdrawn. He was nice and got me to open up about what I was going through and how exhausting it was to fit in. Body dysphoria hadn't even set in yet so I was pretty upset that my only options were "man up and act like a boy" or "have you cut everything off and drill a hole out." He reminded me that wasn't quite how it worked to which I responded, "It just as well be for all the good it will do. It's not like I will be able to get pregnant just because you turn it inside out and stuff it back in." He admitted, "It's true, We haven't learned how to that yet but there are a lot of things we didn't used to know. Maybe that's something you can help us figure out." Long story short, I was diagnosed with, "unknown slow virus" and prescribed a carob +c chewable vitamin I liked so my mom didn't black out. Who wouldn't be depressed knowing they were that traumatizing to people just by being alive. It might not be stigmatized that badly now but the situation hasn't changed. Sometimes I wish a 3rd gender society like the Navajo tribe had colonized the world instead. At least in that world it would be acceptable to be born the way I am. Technology update: Micro gravity organic 3D printing of organs is currently a developing industry. Purely R&D at the moment but the proof of concept is there. So if anyone knows any first graders struggling like I was please let them know it's being worked on. Okay?

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@vivienneturowski1497]

Hi Dr Z, more than 40 years ago I attempted suicide because I was a woman in the wrong body. Btw I never heard of gender dysphoria or transgender at the time. Transexual and transvestite were in vogue. Anyway I spent six months in a locked ward with much counseling and was diagnosed as Borderline. Today I know all my troubles back then stemmed from gender dysphoria, even my diagnosis. Today, I have finally accepted who I am and am transitioning because gender dysphoria never goes away. Now six months living as a woman and 4 months on hormones I have witnessed some character traits about myself that I hate dissipate like an early morning fog. Take for instance my anger. I was an angry old man and the anger has vanished without any personal eradication effort. It’s simply gone. Anyway thanks for reading my comment as I just wanted to confirm your statements except that I believe my borderline diagnosis back then was wrong. I believe gender dysphoria was the underlining cause too.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I am so glad you are here with us!!! I can’t believe how painful your history is although I fully know it’s true. I am so sorry.

[@salma-at-infusion]

This is exact!!😗 u must run for leadership

[@asterv843]

I've been wrestling with this sort of thing for very many years and Im still unsure about what I need to do. I've seen a few different professionals and gotten on meds for depression/adhd like symptoms but no one seems to want to discuss gender dysphoria with me. Maybe theyre in such disbelief they won't acknowledge it? But my mental health decline started after puberty and I match up with a lot of the things in this video. I don't have supportive friends nearby, just work friends who I haven't come out to. My mom thinks the whole thing is stupid and that I should have to change anything. She told me yesterday that my new name is stupid to her, among other things. It's honestly eating me up inside.

[@DRZPHD]

I am so sorry to hear of your challenges and lack of support from your mom.

[@chrisspurling]

I was suffering with anxiety (social and GAD,) sex addiction and compulsive sexual behaviour. These decreased significantly and almost completely at times as soon as I began to experiment with my gender expression.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@amanda_vnc]

exactly, I had depression, eating disorder, OCD, panic, social anxiety (I felt I am an impostor in a man group, I was confused to speak to women, because I felt I should do something as a man what I can't). So now when I realized with my psychologist that I have gender dysphoria, we are working on it. Now, I can feel a lot of feelings what I only felt in my childhood or never. The spectrum of my feelings is large now and I am much more well! I repressed a lot of feelings, I understand now that this was necessary to hide this part of me, unfortunately for 42 years :(

[@DRZPHD]

Glad you have this clarity now.

[@amanda_vnc]

@@DRZPHD thank You! I am glad that you are doing these videos!

[@fiamedknuff]

Throughout the last ten years, mental health professionals diagnosed me with the following conditions: Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 1, Adjustment Disorder, Bipolar Disorder (Never agreed with this one), and Social Anxiety. All those symptoms went away after I started HRT.

[@DRZPHD]

Wow thats actually scary how misdiagnosed the bunch is. BTW it is super common to misdiagnose BiPolar disorder. Glad to hear they were all clusters of dysphoria that went away.

[@teurila5552]

Almost all of these issues are true for me. I wasn't aware of the cause of these for a long time, just accepted them and tried to be happy anyways. Then at one point in my life, I asked what if I were the other gender? Everything clicked now, and the joy of knowing and loving my true gender helped me realize that I have struggled with gender dysphoria.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@BigB_ec]

I know when I stopped drinking two years ago my gender identity issues would surface more frequently and I started to work on them. Repression ended and expression began.

[@DRZPHD]

So glad to hear.

[@jwenting]

I've had recurring bouts of severe depression (with the occasional suicidal episode) since my early teens, but those were always assumed to be caused by bad things happening (severe bullying at school, losing a job, etc) by myself as well as people around me and mental health professionals. Similarly my lifelong social anxiety was blamed on me being "awkward" and "not sociable", "a loner" (rather than those being the result of my social anxiety) and finally at age 45 on my autism (which is real, but probably far from the whole of what's "atypical" about me).

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@hancardew3844]

question, nb genderfluid person here who experiences quite a bit of dysphoria. I likely have ADHD or ADD, and I'm wondering how they're related symptom wise! Thank you so much for all your content! It's very helpful.

[@DRZPHD]

Hi and thanks for sharing. If you are wondering whether you have ADHD or ADD it is best to seek diagnostic assessment with a professional in your area.

[@TheClarity101]

When I was on the nhs in the uk, I was told I needed to not be depressed before they would consider me dysphoric but also discharged me and told me to come back ‘when in got worse’

[@DRZPHD]

So sorry to hear. Hope you are doing well now.

[@TheClarity101]

@@DRZPHD I have a lot of grief about lost time and how male puberty had changed my body in ways I can’t fix

[@nicksbackupsnmore9717]

I have been doubting if I have gender dysphoria. I take meds for ADHD and depression. I also have social anxiety. I actually went out dressed in makeup a skirt, boots, a long wig, and a button up shirt. It was a bit much, but when I also shifted from accepting myself as a woman, I felt the incessant invasive thoughts I've had all my life suddenly vanish. I felt a surge of self-worth like I never have in my life. I'm still not sure, but I did go for testing and the psych decided I did not have ADHD. I also noticed that I call clients more readily when i embrace being a woman. I didn't even need ADHD medication in the evenings for a few days. I reverted back to my old thought patterns a month later, and I almost accepted that I am not trans. But now I wonder. It seemed as if at least for almost a week I was finally feeling a sense of agency over myself. In fact I noticed before considering I am trans, that even with ADHD meds, and other meds for depression (AT A HIGH DOSE) - after those improved my life - I felt better but still somehow depressed. It was inexplicable.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing.

[@losersGuide]

Everything mentioned in the video I have pretty much experienced and luckily I have now figured everything out and am able to pass and just by being able to pass I have felt so much better and many of the things I used to experience happen less.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@s.ribeiro1836]

I know gender dysphoria is the root of my depression and anxiety, but the problem is I'm treating only these last two, because I'm still too scared to transition. So, having my medication, I feel better, and I try to live my life without dealing with my gender issues. Sometimes I break down, and in the past, when I stopped the medication, depression came back after a while. Now I'm on medication again, and since I haven't had any breakdowns in the last three or months, I'm thinking again if I really need to transition, if I can't just live like this. But I've been there many times, and at one moment or another, dysphoria will come back and break me again.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I am sorry to hear.

[@Lvestfold4143]

Woah this is me! I have been diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD but a lot of my anxiety has vanished as soon as I started using my preferred name and pronouns. This was gender dysphoria and I never knew!

[@DRZPHD]

Glad you were able to clarify with using pronouns.

[@FirstLast-jr1mp]

I think you are best youtuber for trans-people. Publish some books worldwide incl. Asia, please. And I hope to view your whole clips as organized with play lists.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you!

[@mikemurchisonmusic]

Very very interesting. You may have given me an ahah moment. First I i was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago but throughout my life the gender dysphoris has been there. But I wasnt diagnosed with it until approximately 4 years ago. Seems the more I accept the dysphoria and work through it, the less the ADHD is relavant. Its an interesting comparative

[@FirstLast-jr1mp]

I guess you're from Asia so you said aha moment? I don't know anyway also I have been experienced less concentration a lot through my life. I'm 30 now but still I have a dirty habit biting my toenail when I'm alone. Sometimes I think I am the one who I hate most. Just not enough to brave to kill myself. Now I'm in dissociation with no career or less job experience. But I'm realizing there are so much people around the world to struggle and thrive themselves. I would be thankful if you recommend some online forum for gender dysphoria and transgenders.

[@kaiwannagoback5712]

@@FirstLast-jr1mp If you can access Discord, there are several very large servers there for Trans people, for information and support.

[@jessalynanne5825]

Dr Z this one is spot-on as well 20 years ago when my wife first found out about the cross-dressing she rushed me to our physician who of course at that time had no recourse but to put me on antidepressants and send me to therapy I have been on and off antidepressants for the past 20 years I also feel I suffer atht social anxieties big I know for me I'm very shy submissive introverted my gender therapist seemed to believe that once I start hormones and transition I'll be very outgoing that would be a welcome change eating disorder yes I find that I love food indefinitely drinking addiction of alcohol I tend to binge drink which my therapist also feels this will go away with starting hormones it all makes perfect sense I just can't seem to get past the fear

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@salemsmith777]

I realized a this summer that all of my depression and anxiety was because I hated being seen as a female. When I started puberty my mental health tanked but I just thought it was normal because I was a teenager. But I never knew why I was depressed. A few months ago, I was upset for days because a guy hit on me while I was working. And it bothered me because he only liked me for my body (womanly features). Also locker rooms growing up were really upsetting to the point where I would have anxiety/panic attacks for months stressing about changing for swim class. Being naked around other people was really vulnerable to me because I didn’t like seeing my body naked when I was alone. I am surprised I didn’t pick up on having gender dysphoria sooner.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@amandapatrick6694]

Hello Dr Z Great Video. I have had several depressions over my life time and Anxiety. I only discovered about 4 yrs ago that I have a forum OCD. The non visible type. Of intrusive thoughts. Your Comment that you have seen OCD Intensify G D feelings really resonated with me. that is what has happened to me since my early Sixties. the feelings are only getting stronger as I age,. I am doing some Gender Exploring when I can. to see Where my Journey will take me. love your videos. can you do one on the Confusion OCD can cause some one with GD ? since OCD Nick name is the doubting Disease .Thank you Amanda

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@spacekidfamily]

Wow thank you for mentioning adhd. I have been looking for resources to learn the relationship between adhd and gender dysphoria and there seems to be not a lot out there. Ive been taking adhd meds for the past month and I have gender dysphoria as well and I am still not 100% sure if i have both or just gender dysphoria. I am in search for a right dose also so im on the journey to figure this out. I think what is confusing in all of this, at least for me, is that we are often exposed to the cis world of viewing these mental symptoms, it's hard to sift through the information to cater to the experience of being trans. This often can lead to overlooking the extra care or resources we need to live the "baseline" of living standards. I think im coming from a place of maybe forgetting that im trans sometimes? Also I havent fully gone through physical transition which i wish to go through eventually. Just some thoughts!

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@FedericoGazzillo]

For me it has been a paifull nightmare. I'll keep it short... I since I was a child 3y/o I tried to affirm that I was of the female gender and I was convinced about that but my words were forgotten shortly after. It has been like that all my life whitout result. At 48 I went back to a therapist and for a few years we worked on my dysphoria and for explaining to my family that I am transgender. On the day of the meeting with my family the therapist asks my parents for an authorization to lock me up in a mental hospital because I am not transgender but a crazy male who can return to normal with hospitalization and psychotropic drugs. The world collapsed on me. I ran away and did my aesthetic journey alone, without support and budgeting in a very "adventurous" way it was terrifying. After 10 years I'm still shocked. With mom and family now it is ok but I have to keep a low profile when I go to my mom. During that time fortunately my doctor phoned the therapist and argued with her. He asked me not to go back again and to follow my aesthetic journey. An ally is important when you feel lost. Fortunately it is more than 30 years I live with my b/f. Very supportive.

[@martaaramini4709]

this really helped me...thank you!!!

[@DRZPHD]

Glad it helped!

[@farleyandrews7269]

Thank you ! I am consistently and regularly astonished by a lack of, and incapacity of males to adapt to or develop consciousness and understanding, of female experience, attendant inconvenience, often outright terror, and oppression resulting from male insensitivity to their own male dominance, entitlement, and privilege. Thank you always for your insight(s) and sympathetic understanding. - Farley Andrews

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@farleyandrews7269]

@@DRZPHD I was born "male". I am "old", 70's, have read a great deal of Trans issues for past 50 years, while having loving, though unsustainable relationships with wonderful women, during which time in NYC, I was seeing psycho-therapist(s), regarding my own Trans issue(s). Suddenly, now living n'r San Luis Obispo, CA, my gender is an "obsession"(for no reason I understand), and though present circumstance (family, finances) would make "coming-out"/transition difficult, I am appreciative of your thoughtful insight, and willingness to explore oft ignored and tangentially related issues, that few see (as) connected. Thanks, Farley A

[@samarchist74]

My cPTSD largely caused by growing up with gender dysphoria in an extremely unaccepting environment was misdiagnosed as bipolar in my early 20s. 20 years later and a fucked up pancreas later (never take the cheap lithium kids) icam finally on hrt and its like someone let me out of an airless box.

[@evjogkg344]

Could u make a video on internal. Like that’s often left out. I would argue that that’s more important.

[@DRZPHD]

Hi. Thanks for suggestion.

[@lindarabasa3471]

YES YES YES THANK YOU!

[@DRZPHD]

Most welcome.

[@osbaldolara5615]

Thank you yes 😁 my aspbergers is so well masked that by solving my disphoria issues first I was able to unmask and discover my aspbergers

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@obsidianjane4413]

I was kind of the same way, it wasn't until I realized that i was TG, that all the other problems came into focus and was like, "oh...well that explains things."

[@nightrider6595]

It hit home I have had trouble sense a child with attention disorder had shopping addiction drinking addiction bad relationship with food 😢 have had depression as well

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelcaple6550]

Most of what you described just I have lol my dysphoria became worse when drunk but only if I tried to suppress it then of course I drank more now I don't drink I feel I'm OK for a while then it hits me all at once but the thing I find more frustrating is I can't medicaly transition ill health has got me but since I told everyone about it I've not been anywhere near as bad I thought I was happy enough being a guy but now I have things to think on as to what the underlying problem is I have a specialist to see Monday so I will discuss it further

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@robynrox]

I have had a number of these symptoms and diagnoses in my time and transitioning is helping with at least some of these. I don't wish to go into further detail, though. Thanks!

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. I respect your privacy.

[@robynrox]

@@DRZPHD Having watched this a second time, I'll share a little: depression and social anxiety were the big symptoms I had. In fact, with respect to the social anxiety, I was surprised how rapidly that cleared up when I went to the first trans support meeting I ever attended; I had no anxiety at all going there! And that was before I was out to most people too!

[@azraeltheabomination]

i know dying my hair isnt as damaging to my health as an addiction ir eating disorder but i do it for the same reason i think. its just the only thing i have contril to immediately change about myself. i also used to cut for the same reason as well as having a wonderfully narcissistic mother.

[@richrich1936]

i can hear you better when you use the desk top mike you used in this video thank you dr z can you recomend a docter in my area western wn between seattle portland thank you chloe anne

[@DRZPHD]

I don't know anyone specifically but you can look up via this website: www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/or/portland?category=transgender

[@ddz3903]

So true.. I started going to collage again and Im having such a hard time. And I relized its not hard cause Im not confident or not social. its just that I feel uncomfy being observed as I am at the moment. I constantly feel every part of my body and apearence and it bothers me its not the way I want it to be

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I am sorry to hear.

[@MC_Fractal]

I've received positive screenings for both a schizophreniform disorder and gender dysphoria, and early on had thought that the former might be producing the illusion of the latter. Surprise, though, as it turns out that in me they co-occur. A neurologist whose blog I used to read all the time mentioned that a patient can have as many things going on in their brain as they darn well please, notwithstanding Occam's razor, so there's that. I'm currently seeing a therapist for gender dysphoria and now identify as transfeminine, no longer merely questioning my gender. I've decided to delay medical transition at least until I've done research to realistically assess getting HRT, while my other set of issues is firmly under control from a strict treatment program. I've already begun social transition, and that will take a number of years to complete as I feminize my gender presentation more and more publicly.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@SG-zp4fz]

4:20 yikes I have SAD diagnosed

[@DRZPHD]

Best to confirm with a therapist in your local area.

[@rebeccawoodward6975]

In this context is there a link between social anxiety and being suspicious of people or finding it difficult to trust others? Today as a 52 yr old professional working in a highly competitive environment i naturally could have developed this mistrust but I had it all my life. Thanks again for a helpful video.

[@DRZPHD]

There is always a possibility for link however I can't say with any certainty.

[@celiasandaniels]

Dr.Z love your videos. It personally helped me in my journey as an asian women of color, trying to survive in this binary world. I wanted to get your viewpoint between DID and GD. Are they both related in some ways ?

[@DRZPHD]

Hi and thanks for sharing. In my experience, they are not related as in one correlates to another. A small segment of population do have GD along side of DID but as two stand alone diagnosis similar in the way for example people may have Bi Polar diagnosis along with GD. But one does not cause the other to occur.

[@fizzicist7678]

I can a test that while I did have depression and anxiety that did not stem from gender dysphoria, I think they fed each other. Not being able to be who I am have symptomatically gave rise to depression, and because I tried to bury it so much it exploded seemingly without any connection to it. Nevertheless, other parts of my depression about my skills and social interactions definitely had been a focal point of it, and the anxiety from literally anything I could think would kill me that I had developed from an ADHD misdiagnosis and Ritalin prescription. I guess combined together, I guess I just did not want my to live my life as someone who I wasn't, 1 cup of a gender I was not, 1 cup of a unfulfilled potential.

[@DRZPHD]

So sorry to hear and thank you for sharing.

[@fizzicist7678]

@@DRZPHD I am glad you read it. I am doing fine nowadays and about to submit a master's thesis soon. Never been happier since I came out to myself. :)

[@Buddhabebop]

ive suffered from deep chronic depression since i was twelve. but ive never had reason to believe it was a matter of gender dysphoria since it wasnt until a decade later that the first stirrings of a feminine gender were felt...

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Buddhabebop]

@@DRZPHD i shoudlve been clearer. indeed this was my experience but ever since i watched another video of yours ive wondered if the depression ive suffered is caused by hidden gender troubles

[@tinaann3323]

Hi Dr Z, I was originally diagnosed with O.C.D.. Later I learned my feelings were because of being transgender. I never really thought I was O.C.D. but the Dr was so convinced. I really didn’t have any symptoms of O.C.D. but I believe that the clinic just wasn’t in tune with trans issues. But anyway, that’s what I was diagnosed with for months.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@adriasorensen2249]

Ok, so I have autism and I'm trying to figure out my gender identity... I was born as a female but going through puberty was terrifying for me. When I started through puberty, I was too terrified to even see my body change. Around 7th grade, I would get up at 5:30 am and shower in the dark wearing a bathing suit because I was too afraid to see myself naked. I dreaded getting my period and didn't tell anyone. The first time I got my period, I didn't even wear a pad and wore black pants to hide blood and was in denial. After a few days, I felt uncomfortable and knew I needed to started using a pad. However, I was too terrified to see the blood . I would change my pad with my eyes closed and put the used pad in a brown paper sandwich bag, because I was to terrified to see blood from my body as a way to avoid seeing my body going through puberty. This way I could about or be in denial about my kid body developing into a woman's body. I never wanted to grow like Peter pan because I just horrified going through puberty. It wasn't until I was in college and had a few sexual experiences and sexual desires in order to eventually one day be able to look at myself naked for the first time in like 6 years. Not sure how that magically seemed to happen one day, but I'm guessing the sex urges helped me overcome my fear seeing myself naked... since It's kind of hard to get laid fully clothed. I didn't even know that I had sex dysphoria or that it even existed. The first time I learned or heard the word nombinary was in my thirties. I had no clue and still know very little about gender dysphoria and want to learn about it. I mean, I think It's pretty obvious that my experience going through puberty is not normal. To this day, I wear men's clothing and never want to get pregnant. I would die from the terror and trauma of having to give birth...serioysly. I'd either have to have an abortion or die from a heart attack before my body starts going into labor. No, me giving birth would be the equivalent of you letting a grizzly bear bite your head off and being eaten alive. In addition, I never liked the thought of adhering to gender female roles in our society and feel repulsed and offended by people who have tried to force me to "act like a girl or assume I like something or am a certain way just because I'm a girl. Anyway, I need to explore or figure out my identity. All I know for sure is that I am not a cis female and in general that the whole gender thing really just pisses me off.

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you for sharing and I wish you all the best.

[@EVAKAT]

Excellent to the point video. My experience agrees 100%. Very good point it could be dysphoria with something else not single dysphoria. Trans identity for example it is a very strong trait but a personality is consisting from many other traits also.

[@DRZPHD]

Yes sadly very common.

[@kjierstenbartlett4866]

How does a "general" therapist (usually first contact) Dx Gender Dysphoria when there are multiple comorbid issues (Not dual Dx involving addiction)? Which does S/He Dx first; and when/how would GD emerge in the decision tree? Then, when is the referral made and consult issued? TY

[@DRZPHD]

Hi and thanks for asking. Its not easy to elaborate on. A good clinician should pin point which symptoms are tied to GD and may also appear as something else. A detailed history assessment should help along with other diagnostic tools to rule out if something may look like separate diagnosis vs a cluster of symptoms.

[@kjierstenbartlett4866]

@@DRZPHD Thank you. I've read you for most of two years and learned VOLUMES from you into which I've integrated into my Tx and, albeit SNAILlike slow transition. Again, Thank You an d "Stay Sweet!" Kjiersten

[@thelovess7456]

How could one go about seeking help when their anxiety is so bad it keeps them from reaching out? I havent spoken to anyone or had a pcp since I was 18.. I really have no idea what Im doing anymore.

[@DRZPHD]

Sometimes a first step can be finding support group online to ease anxiety and to hear how others navigated things.

[@ajula897]

i don't know how diagnostics in other countrys works oo i can only tell from my epxerience i have in germany (sry my english isn't the best) the biggest problem i had experinced was "you can handle the problem than the problem doesn't exist" they only accept symptons if you have struggle with it :/ you can laugh than you can't have depressions or like my actually psychiatrist he said "ADHD doesn't exist because i say so" i will not say it's a common thing in germany but it's my experience with specialists

[@allie675]

with me I was normal until I stayed back in 1st. grade and then I was always very quiet I never talked to anyone in school until the end of 12th grade. I had friends but not many mostly because I was so shy and kept to myself. I'm not sure if being shy is a disorder

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. I see being shy as a part of one's character/temperament.

[@tremereowen]

Can this happen the other way round? I mean, can GD be a bi-product of other thing? I don't know, OCD, for example

[@DRZPHD]

I have seen where OCD intensifies symptoms of dysphoria but not the other way around, at least in my experience. But I have also seen where other issues such as eating disorder, body dysmorphia etc has been confused for Gender Dysphoria.

[@tremereowen]

@@DRZPHD thank you so much! So, as I understand, Gender Dysphoria as a mis-dyagnosis of something else is very uncommon to non-existent, right? Sub-clinical depressive states can also be bi-product of GD?

[@lankiboi]

I wonder if this is why my psychiatrist thought I might be autistic. Maybe most my social issues have been stemming of my gender dysphoria, about not feeling confident and thus not trusting myself to read social situations correctly, especially when other people seem to react to my behavior in a way I didn't expect.

[@DRZPHD]

Thanks for sharing. Autism Spectrum Disorder is something that needs to be carefully diagnosed by a professional.

[@johnmoneypenny6139]

What if I have a very physical, traditionally male job that I really want to keep ,through/after transition???

[@DRZPHD]

Are you going to be able to have physical attributes needed to maintain that job? Than I don't see why not.

[@gafsgt7968]

Reading through some of the comments I recognize a lot from my live, like social anxiety etc. I am currently struggling with OCD. Mainly contamination, but also the checking type. You didn’t mention this in your video, but could those OCD also be related to gender dysphoria?

[@DRZPHD]

Hi and thanks for sharing. In my experience I have seen OCD occurring along side with GD. I have not seen a case where GD caused OCD. However, having GD can intensify OCD due to stress.

[@gafsgt7968]

@@DRZPHD Thank you for your response. Stress I do have ample… a lot is work related. Some of it, because I can’t be my true self and need to hide in an environment of toxic masculinity at work. This forces me to have two completely separate lives. One reason for my washing OCD, is related to certain body parts, which always seem to be a source of contamination. Coming to close, not even touching, will initiate a washing response.

[@guillaumekeulen219]

Maybe social anxiety has reframed as reasonal fear for violence Discrimination social exclusion builling verbal violence & hate crimes One time, i was homeless, staying on a picknick place I thought, they gonna beat me up or worse! They were stoped by 2 hunters sending their dogs and fired a warning shot!

[@kasanebaxter3064]

Trichotillomania?

[@DRZPHD]

Yes thats possible as it relates to anxiety.

[@SoullessDCLXVI]

Faust, I love you Dr Z. Wish I had known you earlier.

[@DRZPHD]

All the best to you!

[@lucaswintermote3329]

I have both gender dysphoria and ADHD

[@DRZPHD]

I am sorry to hear. Wish you all the best.

[@PatriciaOConnorBonsaiBalcony]

Nailed it!

[@DRZPHD]

Thank you.