It's like . . .

[Sarah Doepner]

. . . arguing with a two year old.

We have those discussions from time to time with people who may actually want to understand gender dysphoria. The other day I tried letting someone know how difficult and even futile it becomes sometimes by putting it in terms they might relate to. Battling against my dysphoria is like arguing with a toddler who is absolutely set on something and as long as they are awake they are going to keep trying to get their way. Eventually both the two-year-old and dysphoria seem to win in one way or another. So we smile and say isn't it normal and move on.

Do you have any phrases or comparisons that seem to work better than others?

[Teresa]

Sarah,
It was summed in one word for me , " Separation !" You call it talking to a two year old I liken it to talking to a brick wall , at least a two year old will come back with something that might be worth listening to !

[kimdl93]

My perspective (typical of a person prone to and shaped by depression) is to view dysphoria as my dark companion. (Not quite in the Dexter sense) At times I try to ignore the beckoning of the dark stranger, and at other times I just give in.

[suzanne]

A lot of people seem to think we choose transgenderism and thatz what makes it a sin. Theyre wrong, of course. I see our condition as a variation some of us are born with, in the same way as left handedness or gayness. We did not choose it, it chose us, for whatever reason.

I had a conversation with one of my aunts, who is religious but somewhat open . I asked her "Do you recall the day you decided to be heterosexual?" She stopped her anti-gay rhetoric and became more thoughtful then the conversation changed topics.

[Bobbi46]

I do from Dick Emery commedy series on UK TV, "Dad I got it wrong again"! I say this to myself when I buy some new panties and they either dont fit or the colour is wrong! You cn't take back panties!