(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Gender Dysphoria vs. Gender Euphoria [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-03-04 The conversations with my therapist suddenly changed when I recognized my Gender Euphoria. . We found that gender euphoria refers to positive emotions resulting from affirmation of one’s gender identity or expression and can include a wide variety of emotions and experiences. Given these findings, we challenge pathologizing narratives of transness by illuminating the joys and positive reverberations that can come with being trans. We found that gender euphoria refers to positive emotions resulting from affirmation of one’s gender identity or expression and can include a wide variety of emotions and experiences. Given these findings, we challenge pathologizing narratives of transness by illuminating the joys and positive reverberations that can come with being trans. In both medical and mainstream discussions, gender dysphoria is nearly synonymous with transness itself. Transgender people are born in the wrong body, so they experience great distress over their sex characteristics and use hormones and surgery to change their bodies and eliminate their distress—or so the story goes. But increasingly, trans communities and scholars are pushing back against this focus on dysphoria to make space for discussions of more positive aspects of trans experiences. Ashley (2019) has argued that demanding that trans patients present with gender dysphoria is dehumanizing, and that there are other valid reasons a trans person might pursue medical transition, such as gender euphoria or creative transfiguration . Similarly, Bradford, Rider, and Spencer (2019) have called for future research to go beyond deficit and distress-based models of trans identities. Both Ashley and Bradford, Rider, and Spencer use the term gender euphoria to describe positive gender-related emotions that might emerge from transitioning, a term that has become more common in trans communities in recent years. However, very little academic research has been done on the topic. In both medical and mainstream discussions, gender dysphoria is nearly synonymous with transness itself. Transgender people are born in the wrong body, so they experience great distress over their sex characteristics and use hormones and surgery to change their bodies and eliminate their distress—or so the story goes. But increasingly, trans communities and scholars are pushing back against this focus on dysphoria to make space for discussions of more positive aspects of trans experiences. Ashley (2019) has argued that demanding that trans patients present with gender dysphoria is dehumanizing, and that there are other valid reasons a trans person might pursue medical transition, such as gender euphoria or creative transfiguration . Similarly, Bradford, Rider, and Spencer (2019) have called for future research to go beyond deficit and distress-based models of trans identities. Both Ashley and Bradford, Rider, and Spencer use the term gender euphoria to describe positive gender-related emotions that might emerge from transitioning, a term that has become more common in trans communities in recent years. However, very little academic research has been done on the topic. Gender Euphoria is this amazing feeling of joy. Gender Euphoria happens when a trans person is recognized as their true gender. I still remember the feelings I got when a waiter ask my daughter and I, "What do you two ladies like to drink?" Or when the person at the Goodwill drop off location told me "Ma'am the clothes box is over there." In both cases, I didn't think I was presenting a woman. I was thrilled that I had been "misgendered". I felt I won the spy disguise championship. Looking at pictures of myself from that time, I did not look as passing as I do now. Whatever those two women saw in me, it was the first time I felt gender euphoric. Proof of my transgenderness My first experiences with Gender Euphoria were eyeopening. I didn't experience Gender Dysphoria for years. It was only after experiencing Gender Euphoria that Gender Dysphoria kicked in. Being referred to as a man was suddenly painful. Whereas before being called "sir" was just a fact of my existence, now it because a constant reminder that I wasn't being perceived that way I ached to be seen. I couldn't think of going back. No amount of male privilege was high enough. Quality of life improvement with Gender Euphoria People die from depression. However, people don't generally died from the lack of happiness. Not being euphoric colored my emotional world in greyscale. I thought that this was normal. I didn't feel suicidal. The world was simply. Grey. Being truly happy was a rare fleeting feeling. I am married to wonderful woman. I had healthy children. I wasn't sad. I was just vaguely lacking ... happiness. I was on a very high dose of Concerta, an ADHD medication. . Then I discovered gender euphoria. The world was colorful. Not always wonderful but colorful. Things that might have sent me downhill in depression were overcomeable. My Concerta dosage has dropped and I hope to soon be off of it entirely. . Gender Dysphoria is a listed condition with a DSM code (302.6) and ICD code (F64.2). Listed codes are codes that insurance companies want to see. Everything needs a code in the computer system. . Gender Euphoria has no DSM code. Gender Euphoria is not able to be listed on an insurance form to justify the Facial Feminization Surgery or any other medical treatment. . However, my Gender Euphoria has resulted in the greatest quality of life improvement ever for me. I saw my facial surgery a year after my surgery. He commented on how happy I looked. If Gender Dysphoria is listed in the DSM then Gender Euphoria should be listed as well. Present Day and where YOU come in. The estrogen softened my face, rounds my body and gives me sexy curves. My facial feminization surgery shaved off the male hard edges on my face. My voice training work has raised and softened my voice. I (rarely) get called "sir" now. I still experience euphoria every time a woman cashier asks about my cute jacket. Or compliments me on my hair. My hairdresser whom I have gone to throughout my transition gets huge tips because she regularly enjoys cutting, coloring and styling my hair. She thrills me each time she gushes over my hair and calls me beautiful. Complement a trans woman on their clothes. If a trans masc person is presenting male-ish call them “sir”. See us as humans and you will give someone Gender Euphoria. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/3/4/2156221/-Gender-Dysphoria-vs-Gender-Euphoria Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/