Seeing a therapist is essential. I saw one for almost eighteen months before I went full time. She was an immense help but at the end of the day it was not something I freely chose to do. It was a act of survival. Without her help it would have been more difficult but it would still have happened. Now two months in and although I am very happy living as a woman I am struggling with things. I am suffering mood swings and living 24/7 can be a strain. It is hugely different from doing it part time when you can revert to a male appearance when things are embarrassing or difficult.
I spent a lot of time on this forum, and others, over the last couple of years and learnt a lot. I learnt from those offering tough love not from those so quick to accept everything a poster says at face value and giving *hugs*. Transition is an incredible thing to undertake. Sometimes in the rush to be nice and positive I think that is forgotten. Before giving people encouragement to transition we should think long and hard about what we are doing.
If the GD is severe enough then no post, however tough, on a message board will stop you transitioning.
