aspergers and gender dysmorphia

Oh, and I realised I'd forgotten to mention that it has made a big positive difference to my life.  It hasn't been a panacea and all the other problems I had are still there, but that's one major problem that's now been fixed and is out of the way.

I've got to know quite a large number of people in various stages of their transition and for most it's been a similar experience.  A number have wavered at points along the way, in part because it is a very big decision that is ultimately permanent, and also because the journey is a very, very difficult one: not only is it hard to change many things about one's everyday existence, but the path is also tortuous with many onerous requirements that in themselves caused me to have a fairly major breakdown, something that isn't uncommon; they are reviewing some of the worse aspects, thankfully, though not enough IMHO: although they need to be cautious, the whole thing can be rather adversarial in nature.

It is something that needs to be taken seriously as untreated transsexualism has a significantly high suicide risk.

I mentioned it'd been a significant and positive change to me but I should also add that the same is true of other people: some thought they'd lost a friend or relative but have come to see that I'm still here, just a lot happier and someone who can actually be someone more to them than I once was.  There's a small number who cut me off afterwards but I'd say I've gained more than I lost.

In terms of risks, the early stages (having to "live as a woman" for a year before even starting HRT, and at least two before surgery; though the latter often turns into four, five or more nowadays) was not pleasant, though I was surprised that I didn't get any hassle as I certainly was not a convincing woman.  Nowadays, nobody really seems to care or even notice, even though I'm too lazy to bother with my voice coaching.  I acknowledge that I often don't leave the house, but even I've managed to meet a large number of people in various capacities over the past few years!  Actually it has put something of a dent in my agoraphobia which was previously notable for me sometimes not leaving the house months on end.  Now it's very rare that a whole week passes without me at least getting down to the local shops.  I'm still uncomfortable with going outside, but no longer uncomfortable with myself.

Of course there's still the ASD to contend with, and that's something where I can't simply take some hormones, I'll have to learn to live within its own framework.

Oh, and I realised I'd forgotten to mention that it has made a big positive difference to my life.  It hasn't been a panacea and all the other problems I had are still there, but that's one major problem that's now been fixed and is out of the way.

I've got to know quite a large number of people in various stages of their transition and for most it's been a similar experience.  A number have wavered at points along the way, in part because it is a very big decision that is ultimately permanent, and also because the journey is a very, very difficult one: not only is it hard to change many things about one's everyday existence, but the path is also tortuous with many onerous requirements that in themselves caused me to have a fairly major breakdown, something that isn't uncommon; they are reviewing some of the worse aspects, thankfully, though not enough IMHO: although they need to be cautious, the whole thing can be rather adversarial in nature.

It is something that needs to be taken seriously as untreated transsexualism has a significantly high suicide risk.

I mentioned it'd been a significant and positive change to me but I should also add that the same is true of other people: some thought they'd lost a friend or relative but have come to see that I'm still here, just a lot happier and someone who can actually be someone more to them than I once was.  There's a small number who cut me off afterwards but I'd say I've gained more than I lost.

In terms of risks, the early stages (having to "live as a woman" for a year before even starting HRT, and at least two before surgery; though the latter often turns into four, five or more nowadays) was not pleasant, though I was surprised that I didn't get any hassle as I certainly was not a convincing woman.  Nowadays, nobody really seems to care or even notice, even though I'm too lazy to bother with my voice coaching.  I acknowledge that I often don't leave the house, but even I've managed to meet a large number of people in various capacities over the past few years!  Actually it has put something of a dent in my agoraphobia which was previously notable for me sometimes not leaving the house months on end.  Now it's very rare that a whole week passes without me at least getting down to the local shops.  I'm still uncomfortable with going outside, but no longer uncomfortable with myself.

Of course there's still the ASD to contend with, and that's something where I can't simply take some hormones, I'll have to learn to live within its own framework.