How do you know if you're dysphoric?

It can be very hard to tell sometimes. Some dysphoria is very obvious, but it can often be subtle. Some of the usual ways it comes out is usually discomfort or disconnect with the body, and gendered stuff like pronouns.

That could be dysphoria, or it could just be a body image problem, it's hard to say. If you think you might be experiencing dysphoria, it might help to keep track of your feelings and try to work out what causes them and where they come from.

 

most of my dysphoria is kind of a "what's wrong with this picture" thing, where what's wrong is everything not female, though sometimes it's more subtle, depends on the day. There's also gender-related euphoria, which is opposite dysphoria but just as pertinent imo for figuring out one's identity.

\a bananana cuz y not/
(!)(!)(!)(!)(!)(!)(!)(!)(!)

 

My dysphoria is mainly all mental... and rarely physical anymore. It just depends on the person

 

by mental i mean its more of an emotional thing rather than physical. I know several people whom have emotional dysphoria.
(dont get me wrong, i do have severe bottom and top dysphoria from time to time)

 

gender-related euphoria is, i don't know how to define it, but for me it happens when I shave, or put on nail polish, or imagine myself as a woman, I feel amazing, like an emotional high of sorts, I get really happy, almost giddy, and it just lifts up my mood. That's the best way I can define it.

 

When I was a teen that was the BEST feeling in the entire world.

Honestly for me I just felt like I was "missing" parts etc, this was primarily for primary sex characteristics but the older I got the secondary sex characteristics I was missing became another sense of dysphoria. Pretty much I was never comfortable with ANYTHING. Some I've changed... hair, nails etc... I hated my face shape but my new hair style now makes that work FOR ME. Asymmetry does wonders. Others I'm in the process of changing, laser therapy etc.. working on saving up for more sessions. Right now I'm patiently waiting for my hips to fill in, but it'll be a bit as I haven't been on my treatment super long. I do feel it happening though and it excites me.

From what I understand it's not as pronounced feelings in everyone... I guess I may be a little on the extreme side? I'm not sure.

 

I think for me it always kinda manifested as a weird disconnect. Like I didn't feel like I belonged in my body, in my role as a person, or anything like that. I'd be real happy when I was "mistaken" for a guy or when I was able to kinda be a little more masculine. Living full time, I actually feel content most of the time just getting to express who I am and being recognized as me.

 

I guess for me it's mostly a sence of things being out of place. I know I'm supposed to have breasts, and long hair, but I dont currently. I feel the worst dysphoria when I'm wearing all boys clothing. I get tence and tied up inside. Even just wearing panties, and a bra under a tshirt helps.

 

One thing to keep in mind is that while gender dysphoria can be hard to describe. It is something very serious, it at times feels truly horrible, so bad that people aren't afraid of death as a result... it often makes your life a struggle to survive daily. Dysphoria usually increases drastically as a result of thinking that you might be trans. The disconnect that many of us feel is a defense mechanism to protect ourselves from the mental anguish.

From what you describe, you sound like you might be genderfluid and not strongly male or female. Being genderfluid seems to usually come with a form of gender discomfort that is often described in a way which is very similar to how you described it. Experimenting with androgynous looks until you find a look that leaves you happy with your body and reflection is probably the best course of action for you. From what I read, people who are genderfluid often have a feeling of peaceful contentment sometimes mixed with some sexual arousal when they crossdress. Does this sound right to you?

 

I mean, it can vary for everyone. I find I'm a lot less dysphoric now that I'm not really misgendered and I'm not forced to present feminine anymore.

And if you still identify as male, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having a feminine presentation. It's more common than you think.

 

Pete Burns from Dead or Alive is one example. He seems to be pretty content identifying as male but has a very, very feminine presentation.

There's also trans women who may be a little more on the tomboy side and trans guys who are a little more feminine. Expression doesn't always conflate with identity.

 

Pretty much! I don't do dresses a ton!

Yup! Nothing wrong with it at all! You be you xD And for what it's worth I like fem guys >_>

Nothing wrong with any of that! I question I was asked when I first started seeing a specialist was what I liked about my body and what I didn't. It confused me but it actually sounds alot like what you're describing. IE Wanting to change some secondary characteristics but not the primary. Is this what you mean? Like you wouldn't mind having.... let's say fem hips and hair but leaving the rest as is.

Now I may be completely wrong xD Just a thought...

I recommend trying it xD Either sexually or not...or both! Why not? Never anything wrong with new experiences.

 

I just realized I worded what i was trying to say pretty badly I'm sorry I didn't mean to be insensitive.

Anyway, nothing wrong with that outlook! I don't know the best way to go about getting just "some" fem secondary characteristics, I think research is required!

Hell yeah!