Thread by @ImWatson91, A thread on overcoming gender dysphoria:Gender dysphoria is a sense of unease [...]

A thread on overcoming gender dysphoria:

Gender dysphoria is a sense of unease or distress due to a mismatch between ones biological sex and gender identity. This distress can be so intense it can lead to depression and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. 1/15

I was assessed and diagnosed with gender dysphoria at the age of 24, having developed a sense of unease over my biological sex in my teens that eventually intensified into distress by my 20s. The only treatment I was offered was medical transition, which I chose to undergo. 2/15

I injected testosterone for 4 and a half years and had a double mastectomy when I was 26, believing that doing so would ease my dysphoria. It did ease, for a while.

Unfortunately, my dysphoria would return with newfound intensity and I would come to regret my transition. 3/15

I began detransition at 28, faced with the question: If transition didn& #39;t help, how else can I treat my dysphoria?
I found the answer to that question, with no help from my therapists who showed no interest in discussing transition regret.

I& #39;d like to share the answer now. 4/15

Note: Just as transition helps many but, for whatever reason, harms others like myself, I& #39;d like to stress that the following is what I found to help me – it may not help others in a similar position, though I hope that it does.

okay, here we go. 5/15

The first step was identifying what caused me to develop dysphoria. Looking back on difficult experiences and confronting painful memories I& #39;d buried. Thinking about and analyzing these in detail, I was eventually able to open up to loved ones - to explain my thoughts. 6/15

Next was taking control of my distress by changing how I thought about it. Removing self-blame, I began to think of myself as someone I love – would I blame my sister or best friend if they& #39;d experienced what I had?

Of course not, so why blame myself? 7/15

Next, I had to find healthy coping techniques. Whenever dysphoric thoughts occurred, I& #39;d get the urge to isolate and binge drink. Instead, I& #39;d do the opposite; I& #39;d go for a walk, talk to someone or do something productive, fix or make something.

Sounds simple, but it works. 8/15

I accepted the dysphoric thoughts weren& #39;t going away so ignoring them was pointless. Instead, when they occurred I& #39;d talk to myself about them. Why do I hate my female body? Why do I want to be male? Where did that want come from when I don& #39;t know what being male feels like? 9/15

I stopped avoiding these questions and stopped avoiding situations I knew made me dysphoric. I began to think of my dysphoria as unwanted intrusive thoughts. Trying to get rid of them made them worse, so I accepted them but didn& #39;t let them stop me from doing what I wanted. 10/15

I wish I was born male, but I wasn& #39;t. I am female because I was born female. This is my body and if I take care of it, it will take care of me.

Thoughts are just thoughts, and while they can be distracting or distressing, they can& #39;t physically stop me from living my life. 11/15

I know why I developed dysphoria. I know, despite the thoughts, I& #39;m fortunate to be healthy and capable. I know, despite the thoughts, I& #39;ve achieved goals and won battles. I know, despite the thoughts, I actually have it really good.

I accept myself, despite the thoughts. 12/15

I& #39;m a woman who deals with intrusive thoughts that tell me I should& #39;ve been born male, that my body is “wrong,” but those thoughts are wrong and they& #39;re not worth my time.

With this, over the past 6 months my dysphoria has dramatically decreased in frequency and intensity. 13/15

Talking about it with myself and my loved ones, finding healthy coping techniques, learning to love and be proud of myself and what I& #39;m capable of and adopting self-acceptance has massively helped to alleviate my dysphoria.

I& #39;m the happiest and healthiest I& #39;ve ever been. 14/15

I hope those suffering from gender dysphoria, who either don& #39;t want to transition or who did but have now detransitioned, will find peace. I never thought I would, but I have.

You can absolutely thrive by not letting dysphoria rule you.

Be the ruler of your own mind. 15/15

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