Crossdressing and Dysphoria

Thx. I did answer more truthfully.

thanks Elisa, IMO this second poll was much easier to answer than the first.  Are you going to write an article for CDH after you gather and analyze your data?  Could be interesting.

Hugs, Krista.

Part of that question is easy to answer: I dress part of every day, all of at least three days per week. The other part, not so much. I'm convinced I'm really a girl who just can't "pass" the physical; but I don't lose any sleep over the discrepancy.
Being fully accepted would be great, but I can accept merely being tolerated.

Hugs,
Bettylou

You have the best answer I can think of. If I could only grasp that truth.

Gwyn

I am aleays dressed in some way every day. I find femme clothing more comfortable.

I have no dysphoria. I know I am male, and always will be, but I love being dresses as a woman.

Paula

I’d also like to know if we feel more dysphoria when dressed or drab.  Sometimes I don’t realize how much I miss it until I get dressed and then it just feels right.

Paula, I really identify with what you said.

I sometimes feel a little dysphoria, but I know I am a man.  My dysphoria is really about what I want rather than what I am.

Do I want to live as a woman or as a man?  Of course the question is mostly irrelevant for me.  I HAVE to live as a man for my and kids.

I can't bear the thought of destroying husband and father.

Krista.  Girl!  I hadn't thought about that.  Maybe I will.

🙂

Oh,my! Thank you, Gwyn, and you can. I just had to first accept that that's who I really am, and second, know that it's OK....and it is.

Hugs,
Bettylou

what the heck is Dysphoria

Great question, Joannie!

As I understand it, dysphoria is literally an uncomfortable feeling.  It can be a feeling that something isn't quite right, something is out of place, or you simply don't know something you think you ought to know.

It terms of our gender, dysphoria has to do with either feeling like you are in the wrong body (that your self-image doesn't match your body) or being uncertain or unsure about which gender you want to be.

Some crossdressers don't experience any dysphoria.  Others experience a lot.

Since clothing is a significant aspect of gender, it is not unusual that many crossdressers experience some dysphoria.

I hope that helps.

I've never heard it described like that Elisa. Brilliant. But I am afraid my dysphoria goes much deeper than clothing.

Hi Stephanie!  Thanks for your thoughts.
Please don't think I am down-playing the significance of gender dysphoria.  I know from personal experience how serious it can be.

But I DO think dissatisfaction is a significant part of dysphoria.  In fact, the two words are almost synonyms.  They both begin with the prefix dis- (dys-), which is a negative particle in Greek (from which both words get the prefix).  "Dis-satisfaction" anglicized the prefix from dys- to dis-.

Satisfaction is the mental condition of being content with something, while -phoria is simply "feeling," as in EU-phoria (a good or pleasing feeling).

I know some people experience dysphoria because their body does not match their gender identity.  Others experience dysphoria because they are genuinely uncertain about which gender they want to be.

I think dysphoria generally comes from some kind of dissatisfaction with either their biology or their gender.

But ABSOLUTELY, this is very serious stuff.

As for crossdressing, if it isn't wearing the clothing appropriate to one's gender, then what is it?  Are you suggesting that we shouldn't use the term "crossdressing"?  I'm just trying to understand what you mean.

If I understand your argument, a biological male who identifies as female by gender is NOT crossdressing when he wears female clothing.  Do I understand you correctly?

Hmm.  You are right; I will have to conduct a different poll.

Thanks again.

One could argue that wearing mans clothes is crossdressing if you identify as transgender!  And so logically, wearing women’s clothes is gender appropriate, and not crossdressing.

Perhaps you are trying too hard to simplify the un-simplifyable?

Sorry. I am not trying to be a bitch.  I’m just a stickler for accuracy.

well Elisa, i've always thought that if the gender boat doesn't tip, even just a little bit,when you slip on panties or pull the pantyhose up nice and comfortable...if a new dress doesn't thrill you in a way nothing else can, you're either Dustin Hoffman, dressed as Ms.Doubtfire, or else, Gene Hackman in The Bird Cage.