Why so many transgender girls are struggling with mental issues these days?

[TatianaSummer]

It seems like 90% of the girls I know are struggling with some kind of mental issue. Of course I would say this has to do with being transgender but rarely I meet a girl that is just down to earth, relax, and not a drama queen. I know sometimes it has to do with their past and experiences though but hopefully I start seeing a change in this. I know also a few transgender guys (at least 3) and at least all the ones I know don't have any of these mental issues and they just live a "regular" life. So is it the hormones the girls are taking? or not taking hormones what is causing this? Ok now I am lost, LOL. what is your opinion on this?

[tao1kiku]

From the experiences I've had with my wife, it is a bit of both. She seems to have less mood swings when using the hormone patch rather than pills. And past relationships /scars, experiences have not helped at all. But have also found that being in a legally married relationship has definitely helped her to become more relaxed, down to earth, no drama

[robertlouis]

It seems like 90% of the girls I know are struggling with some kind of mental issue. Of course I would say this has to do with being transgender but rarely I meet a girl that is just down to earth, relax, and not a drama queen. I know sometimes it has to do with their past and experiences though but hopefully I start seeing a change in this. I know also a few transgender guys (at least 3) and at least all the ones I know don't have any of these mental issues and they just live a "regular" life. So is it the hormones the girls are taking? or not taking hormones what is causing this? Ok now I am lost, LOL. what is your opinion on this?

Are you talking about girls in porn or girls who simply live either in stealth or out, Tatiana?

[tsmirandameadows]

I would say that being trans is a slow burning trauma which often has severe deleterious effects on one's social-emotional functioning. Furthermore, I would say that being an MtF transsexual imposes certain psychological and particularly social demands which being an FtM does not. For example, bathroom scare screeds are always built around the notion of a perverted guy claiming to be a girl so that he can go into the women's restroom to molest the womenfolk and little girls: you never hear scare stories about perverted women sneaking into the men's room. Because of culture's gender norms, a "man masquerading as a woman" is perceived as threatening in a way that a "woman masquerading as a man" does not. Likewise, in fiction, the former is always treated as comic and absurd, the latter as a mark of cleverness. Couple with this with the insecurities and second class citizen status all women face, and being an MtF is probably the harder row to hoe, even if FtMs don't have an easy path either.

All that aside, being trans is traumatic. Furthermore, it is a lifelong trauma, which changes over time in form and intensity, but never fully goes away. The extent to which someone is able to manage that trauma depends a lot on external factors, i.e. family/social support, financial stability, supportive (or not) educational environment, supportive (or not) work environment, stable housing, unrelated mental health problems, disabilities, etc. If you have a bad mix of external factors, it becomes much harder to bear the trauma of being trans without there being lasting negative side effects on your psyche.

In my own case -- and I most certainly qualify as one of the drama queens you mentioned -- I had a very bad mix of external factors and I couldn't bear up under the weight of it all. That isn't to suggest that no one else has problems, just that when I consider my history from as objective a standpoint as I can muster, it is little wonder I'm as fucked as I am. My family history is extremely fucked up, featuring long-term abuse and poverty, parents with mental health problems and a brother with severe physical disability absorbing all of the energy and effort of the family. I experienced pretty severe bullying in my school years, eventually leading to a behavior pattern of social isolation and inability to form friendships/relationships which persists to this day. I inherited a bipolar spectrum mood disorder from my great grandfather, and as a consequence I was in and out of school as a kid, unable to maintain a stable mood state for any extended period of time. That pattern of cycling between marginal functionality and complete dysfunctionality has persisted into my adult years. My initial attempts at transition were very unsuccessful and led to near complete social rejection and long term unemployment. I could go on, and while I don't mean to suggest that I'm the only one with problems, I do want to emphasize that the sum total of the challenges I have faced has been quite large, and the fact that I am such damaged goods is directly related to that.

[TatianaSummer]

Are you talking about girls in porn or girls who simply live either in stealth or out, Tatiana?

both, not specific porn stars or stealth. but the porn stars, and escorts are even more. not all but most.

[GroobySteven]

Ok, here's what probably many are thinking but don't want to hear - and I'm not pointing this at any one or two individuals, I've noticed this over the past few years and discussed it with other people.

Firstly, are the percentage of real transgender girls struggling with mental issues than say, 10 yrs ago? Probably not. What you have is meltdown's and over-sharing on social networks and public forums which in turn are discussed, disseminated and everyone has advice, opinions or at least a "keep your chin, up" sort of comment. There were plenty of TG's around 10 yrs ago (or 20) with plenty of mental issues but often the first time you heard about them, was when they ended up dead.

Secondly, do these outbursts of oversharing actually help the individuals or do they exacerbate the situation. Are we giving them an outlet for their issues by responding/reading, or are we giving them a crutch, a reason or enabling them to seek even more and more attention?

Finally ... and I fully expect a bunch of shit on this but there is an elephant in the room that I haven't seen discussed.
We have TG's who have emotional and mental issues caused by all types of situations, whether they be behavioral or related physically (as in hormones, genetics, etc.) to their transgenderism. That's pretty much accepted and needs to be worked with.
Let me introduce a slightly difference concept. We've seen a lot of new transgenders into the scene over the last 5 or so years. Many of them identify somewhere different along the typical spectrum of transgender, many of them come from different backgrounds to what the girls of 10-20 yrs* ago did.
How many of these "new girls" are mentally ill before they become TG. How many of them are looking to escape, or make a change to their lives as their illnesses make them unhappy or dis-satisfied? How many of them after making those fairly drastic changes, find out that their unhappiness, their malcontent, and their mental illnesses still exist? Is this why we see more girls de-transitioning?

There is no one answer and I don't believe there is a right answer but I do believe if statistics were done on this, that you'd find many of the more recent girls who've transitioned (and not only within the adult arena) may have issues unrelated to their transgenderism which were apparent before they even considered transitioning.



* when I talk about 10-20 yrs, that's how long I've been in the industry and met and known 1000's of TG's over that time.

[TatianaSummer]

I would say that being trans is a slow burning trauma which often has severe deleterious effects on one's social-emotional functioning. Furthermore, I would say that being an MtF transsexual imposes certain psychological and particularly social demands which being an FtM does not. For example, bathroom scare screeds are always built around the notion of a perverted guy claiming to be a girl so that he can go into the women's restroom to molest the womenfolk and little girls: you never hear scare stories about perverted women sneaking into the men's room. Because of culture's gender norms, a "man masquerading as a woman" is perceived as threatening in a way that a "woman masquerading as a man" does not. Likewise, in fiction, the former is always treated as comic and absurd, the latter as a mark of cleverness. Couple with this with the insecurities and second class citizen status all women face, and being an MtF is probably the harder row to hoe, even if FtMs don't have an easy path either.

All that aside, being trans is traumatic. Furthermore, it is a lifelong trauma, which changes over time in form and intensity, but never fully goes away. The extent to which someone is able to manage that trauma depends a lot on external factors, i.e. family/social support, financial stability, supportive (or not) educational environment, supportive (or not) work environment, stable housing, unrelated mental health problems, disabilities, etc. If you have a bad mix of external factors, it becomes much harder to bear the trauma of being trans without there being lasting negative side effects on your psyche.

In my own case -- and I most certainly qualify as one of the drama queens you mentioned -- I had a very bad mix of external factors and I couldn't bear up under the weight of it all. That isn't to suggest that no one else has problems, just that when I consider my history from as objective a standpoint as I can muster, it is little wonder I'm as fucked as I am. My family history is extremely fucked up, featuring long-term abuse and poverty, parents with mental health problems and a brother with severe physical disability absorbing all of the energy and effort of the family. I experienced pretty severe bullying in my school years, eventually leading to a behavior pattern of social isolation and inability to form friendships/relationships which persists to this day. I inherited a bipolar spectrum mood disorder from my great grandfather, and as a consequence I was in and out of school as a kid, unable to maintain a stable mood state for any extended period of time. That pattern of cycling between marginal functionality and complete dysfunctionality has persisted into my adult years. My initial attempts at transition were very unsuccessful and led to near complete social rejection and long term unemployment. I could go on, and while I don't mean to suggest that I'm the only one with problems, I do want to emphasize that the sum total of the challenges I have faced has been quite large, and the fact that I am such damaged goods is directly related to that.


Miranda, first thank you for sharing with us your view and experiences! I do have to say it takes lots of strength to bring to us all these details about your previous life, and Yes I see your point about the bathroom issue. I would say that you are right about m2f and f2m difference. Society has teach people that if a girl dresses as a boy it doesn't matter but if a boy dresses as a girl then he is gay, the "f" word, dishonor the family, bla bla bla and so on.

[Rivz]

I also want to add that there might be alot of side symptoms associated with gender dysphoria, namely depression. As the girls align their bodies they think magically the depression goes away, which may not be the case the depression is there, and it might not be just the dysphoria.

As one who battle depression, it's just that it's a battle. Some days I win, some days I horribly lose. Sometimes these "drama queens" are reaching out, trying to find a voice of reason in their crumbling world.

I think that coupled with lowering fund available from the government to fund mental health, alot of these girls are swept the side, or given drugs to cure their problem, when we should probably be teaching coping skills.

[TatianaSummer]

Ok, here's what probably many are thinking but don't want to hear - and I'm not pointing this at any one or two individuals, I've noticed this over the past few years and discussed it with other people.

Firstly, are the percentage of real transgender girls struggling with mental issues than say, 10 yrs ago? Probably not. What you have is meltdown's and over-sharing on social networks and public forums which in turn are discussed, disseminated and everyone has advice, opinions or at least a "keep your chin, up" sort of comment. There were plenty of TG's around 10 yrs ago (or 20) with plenty of mental issues but often the first time you heard about them, was when they ended up dead.

Secondly, do these outbursts of oversharing actually help the individuals or do they exacerbate the situation. Are we giving them an outlet for their issues by responding/reading, or are we giving them a crutch, a reason or enabling them to seek even more and more attention?

Finally ... and I fully expect a bunch of shit on this but there is an elephant in the room that I haven't seen discussed.
We have TG's who have emotional and mental issues caused by all types of situations, whether they be behavioral or related physically (as in hormones, genetics, etc.) to their transgenderism. That's pretty much accepted and needs to be worked with.
Let me introduce a slightly difference concept. We've seen a lot of new transgenders into the scene over the last 5 or so years. Many of them identify somewhere different along the typical spectrum of transgender, many of them come from different backgrounds to what the girls of 10-20 yrs* ago did.
How many of these "new girls" are mentally ill before they become TG. How many of them are looking to escape, or make a change to their lives as their illnesses make them unhappy or dis-satisfied? How many of them after making those fairly drastic changes, find out that their unhappiness, their malcontent, and their mental illnesses still exist? Is this why we see more girls de-transitioning?

There is no one answer and I don't believe there is a right answer but I do believe if statistics were done on this, that you'd find many of the more recent girls who've transitioned (and not only within the adult arena) may have issues unrelated to their transgenderism which were apparent before they even considered transitioning.



* when I talk about 10-20 yrs, that's how long I've been in the industry and met and known 1000's of TG's over that time.


Ohh I totally agree that most of them their issues started before transitioning but why way after transitioning these problems keep being an issue? I guess there is no real answer then. I think that the mental issues of these girls are created my society, if society would accept these girls (passable and non passable) then most of their issues would fade. They would get more jobs, more opportunities would open up, better understanding guys/girls not only people trying to "fu@(" them as a piece of meat and then feel guilty, etc etc
So what do people need to do to help fix this? Perhaps educating society is one of the top priorities. Giving special education to those not familiar with the transgender community, use the power of the media to help society understand what's being a transgender person and that we are no different than their boss, friends, neighbors, family, coworkers etc. They don't have to accept us, just understand us. That's why I always try to educate at least one person every time I can, I know its not much but hopefully one day that person with educate others and create a chain.

[TatianaSummer]

I also want to add that there might be alot of side symptoms associated with gender dysphoria, namely depression. As the girls align their bodies they think magically the depression goes away, which may not be the case the depression is there, and it might not be just the dysphoria.

As one who battle depression, it's just that it's a battle. Some days I win, some days I horribly lose. Sometimes these "drama queens" are reaching out, trying to find a voice of reason in their crumbling world.

I think that coupled with lowering fund available from the government to fund mental health, alot of these girls are swept the side, or given drugs to cure their problem, when we should probably be teaching coping skills.

I personally think that these girls are all fine, just that the problems are being created by society. If society wasn't as how it is on them then they would not be running into so many situations, lowering problems means less stress and more positive foundation to keep moving forward with their heads up. From the boys pointing their finger to the professionals at gov offices it all stacks up until these girls can't handle. If society didn't judge them and was fine and "normal" to them then this girls would feel more comfortable being themselves.

[Jamie French]

Being trans is not objectively traumatic. That's weak, self defeating horseshit. It's just another personal challenge at worst.

[GroobySteven]

Being trans is not objectively traumatic. That's weak, self defeating horseshit. It's just another personal challenge at worst.


Well said, although different people obviously can be traumatized in different ways because of whom they are, where they are and stigma's associated with their upbringing.

[GroobySteven]

Ohh I totally agree that most of them their issues started before transitioning but why way after transitioning these problems keep being an issue? I guess there is no real answer then. I think that the mental issues of these girls are created my society, if society would accept these girls (passable and non passable) then most of their issues would fade. They would get more jobs, more opportunities would open up, better understanding guys/girls not only people trying to "fu@(" them as a piece of meat and then feel guilty, etc etc
So what do people need to do to help fix this? Perhaps educating society is one of the top priorities. Giving special education to those not familiar with the transgender community, use the power of the media to help society understand what's being a transgender person and that we are no different than their boss, friends, neighbors, family, coworkers etc. They don't have to accept us, just understand us. That's why I always try to educate at least one person every time I can, I know its not much but hopefully one day that person with educate others and create a chain.

I think you're missing my point.
Being transgender isn't why they're mentally ill. They're mentally ill - and becoming somebody other than whom they are, is part of their escape. Transitioning isn't going to fix it, as that's not what was wrong with them - so they have the same issues transitioned as before, which leads to "so many more transgender girls struggling with mental issues these days".

[tsmirandameadows]

Being trans is not objectively traumatic. That's weak, self defeating horseshit. It's just another personal challenge at worst.

And yet we're just discussing how seemingly the overwhelmingy majority of transgirls are extremely insecure, emotionally unstable, and have some very real mental health and behavioral problems. No offense, but some of your outbursts on this forum put you firmly in the "often fucking nuts" camp. Frankly, if you think my argument is self-defeating horseshit, I would call yours delusional bullshit.

[GroobySteven]

And yet we're just discussing how seemingly the overwhelmingy majority of transgirls are extremely insecure, emotionally unstable, and have some very real mental health and behavioral problems. No offense, but some of your outbursts on this forum put you firmly in the "often fucking nuts" camp. Frankly, if you think my argument is self-defeating horseshit, I would call yours delusional bullshit.

I think Jamie is making a good point Miranda - does being trans* automatically give you mental health issues?

a) Do trans-girls inherently have mental health issues because of transgenderism.

OR

b) Do some people with mental health illnesses become transgender?

While I don't think anything is as cut and dry as Jamie states for everyone, I think you're argument that "overwhelmingly majority of transgirls ... have mental health issues" is equally, if not more so dangerously, incorrect.

[GroobyKrissy]

I will only state this as this thread is going to devolve rapidly:

The OP's question is flawed and the subsequent reactions are as well because the parties are making arguments based upon it without properly defining the terms.

The question should be restated to:

"Why [sic] so may TRANSSEXUAL girls are struggling with mental issues these days?"

Transgender and Transsexual are not the same thing and cannot be interchanged (i.e. - you cannot become Transsexual, you can become Transgender) I'm not one to get caught up in labels but for this discussion, it is an important distinction that all parties need to recognize.

[Prospero]

I personally find Jamie's remarks rather harsh and dismissive of the obvious distress and emotional unhappiness felt by some girls. I know many - both those who escort and others. Some can, like Jamie roll with the punches and come back fighting. But some are very fragile emotionally - some because of family rejection, others because of other traumas around their gender issues. I'm very glad for Jamie that she is tough and not troubled by many of the things that knock some other girls sideways. But simply telling the emotionally fragile to get their act together and stop being wimps - essentially her message - is too simplistic. And perhaps as she is strong, some better advice to those who aren't would be more helpful?

[dderek123]

I think trans that have mental health issues have more difficulty dealing with their illness than those who are not trans.

Just my two cents. I'm no doctor, scientist or expert on the subject though.

[tsmirandameadows]

I think you're missing my point.
Being transgender isn't why they're mentally ill. They're mentally ill - and becoming somebody other than whom they are, is part of their escape. Transitioning isn't going to fix it, as that's not what was wrong with them - so they have the same issues transitioned as before, which leads to "so many more transgender girls struggling with mental issues these days".

I think you're making too much of an effort to separate the issues. While I would agree that there are a subset of girls who transition as a result of mental illness, I would also argue, for a variety of reasons, that that subset, while perhaps overrepresented in porn, remains a very small population within the trans community. That said, I would say that the overwhelming majority of transgirls have ingrained negative social-emotional behavioral responses, some to such a degree that they have full blown personality disorders. Likewise, to the extent that depression is the common cold of the mind, I would say that tgirls are FAR more prone to it. With regard to major, neurochemical, mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar, clinical depression, I would say tgirls are probably proportionally represented. The point is, I don't think traditional mental illness, i.e. hearing voices, is particularly common among tgirls, but negative social-emotional behavioral patterns ARE near universal. Why?

Well what is behavior? It's a response to an environment. If you live in certain sorts of environments, you develop certain sorts of behavior. If you live in a very cold climate, you always put a jacket on before going out in the winter. More germaine to our discussion, let's say you are a kid from a poor family, where there's no money to fulfill your wants and needs, and where you have little adult supervision, because dad is no where to be found and mom is always either working or stressed the fuck out: such a kid may develop the behavior of always taking a crap load of free samples at stores, whether she actually wants the thing or not, because it's a rare opportunity for her to feel like she got something for herself, and because there's rarely an adult around to tell her that you're only supposed to take one or two, and only if you're interested in potentially buying the product. That's a mildly negative behavior pattern developed in response to a negative environment. It is easy to see how such a negative behavior could escalate however, making the environment worse, i.e. she starts shoplifting. The behavior nevertheless grew out of a need for survival and a way to get your needs met in an environment that wasn't meeting them. As an aside, when I worked in the foster care system, it seemed like each kid had their own set of pathological behaviors which they had developed... to get their needs met growing up in an environment which didn't meet them.

So what does this have to do with trannies? I do insist that being trans is traumatic. If traumatic is too strong a word, then perhaps we can agree on severe, negative environmental factor. To a certain extent, every tgirl is a crossdresser for a time, i.e. we aren't immediately in transition. Crossdressers often go through purge cycles with regard to female clothes and dressing. They have one pressure on them, the need to appear feminine, competing with another, the social expectation that men don't engage in such faggy things as dressing in women's clothing except as a prank or joke. The result is that they dress, feel increasing levels of shame, and then get rid of their female clothes, then after a period of time, begin acquiring new female clothes starting the cycle again. That's a very mildly negative behavior. The thing is, being trans produces a myriad of conflicting pressures, negative social experiences, internal conflict, and other issues, all of which are ripe for developing negative behavioral responses to. These negative behaviors often increase the longer a person is closeted. Likewise, these negative behaviors, such as risk-taking or self-destructive behaviors, often exacerbate the negative environmental factors which are leading to negative behavior to begin with. It becomes mutually reinforcing, and the result is that by the time the girl is 23 or so, been in transition for a couple years, and shooting her first porno, she's for all intents and purposes fucking nuts.

[GroobySteven]

I personally find Jamie's remarks rather harsh and dismissive of the obvious distress and emotional unhappiness felt by some girls.

The point she was making, is that being trans is not necessarily what leads them to having emotional unhappiness and distress.

[tsmirandameadows]

I think Jamie is making a good point Miranda - does being trans* automatically give you mental health issues?

a) Do trans-girls inherently have mental health issues because of transgenderism.

OR

b) Do some people with mental health illnesses become transgender?

While I don't think anything is as cut and dry as Jamie states for everyone, I think you're argument that "overwhelmingly majority of transgirls ... have mental health issues" is equally, if not more so dangerously, incorrect.

See my latest, lengthy post. And I think it's absurd to suggest such an idea is "dangerously incorrect" in a thread in which we're pretty much all in agreement that tgirls have mental health issues at greater rates than average. Hell, in your new year's open letter, you asked the very same question: why do so many tgirls suffer from mental health problems? Were you dangerously incorrect in asking such a question?

[Prospero]

I got that Steven. But she is aggressive regarding those who are weak. And while it is not necessarily, in many cases it is. I know of one girl for instance who has attempted suicide because her being trans has led to alienation from her family. Now splitting hairs might lead to someone arguing it is the family split that has caused her trauma - but at the root of that is is her gender identity.

[GroobySteven]

See my latest, lengthy post. And I think it's absurd to suggest such an idea is "dangerously incorrect" in a thread in which we're pretty much all in agreement that tgirls have mental health issues at greater rates than average. Hell, in your new year's open letter, you asked the very same question: why do so many tgirls suffer from mental health problems? Were you dangerously incorrect in asking such a question?

I'm not going to discuss you personally Miranda although I do hope you've taken advice on whether you should be sharing so much of yourself personally, with strangers. I have read your lengthy post and that's somewhat supported my argument.

The question still remains "Why do so many tgirls suffer from mental health issues?". As it was a question and not a statement, then it was neither incorrect or I believe dangerous, the question still remains and I've brought up some valid points here to try and open some discourse. You made points that the "majority of ..." and I think you're incorrect on that and non-objective. I know many many girls without issues other than what other young people may have (that aren't related to being trans), so asserting that the "majority" are, is incorrect and dangerous. There are too many - and more than the average young person - but see my previous posts on what may be the reasons.


I honestly, and with respect, don't believe given what you've stated here and on other social networks recently, that this is a good thread for you to be arguing or participating in - and I hope you can get some clarification on that from whomever you are working with, sincerely.

[GroobySteven]

I got that Steven. But she is aggressive regarding those who are weak. And while it is not necessarily, in many cases it is. I know of one girl for instance who has attempted suicide because her being trans has led to alienation from her family. Now splitting hairs might lead to someone arguing it is the family split that has caused her trauma - but at the root of that is is her gender identity.

Understood but it wasn't an attack on an individual and it was valid point regardless of it's bluntness.

That situation may not be splitting hairs. The cause (or apparent cause) may not be what is the real root but I don't think looking at individual cases, with second hand information is going to be appropriate here.

[nysprod]

While I will say this is a small sample size, trans girls I know who have had the support of family and peers seem to be well adjusted, or at least no less well adjusted than the average person functioning in society.

Others I have met who have not had that support or have been outwardly rejected are far worse off mentally and emotionally.

[tsmirandameadows]

The question still remains "Why do so many tgirls suffer from mental health issues?". As it was a question and not a statement, then it was neither incorrect or I believe dangerous, the question still remains and I've brought up some valid points here to try and open some discourse. You made points that the "majority of ..." and I think you're incorrect on that and non-objective. I know many many girls without issues other than what other young people may have (that aren't related to being trans), so asserting that the "majority" are, is incorrect and dangerous. There are too many - and more than the average young person - but see my previous posts on what may be the reasons.


I honestly, and with respect, don't believe given what you've stated here and on other social networks recently, that this is a good thread for you to be arguing or participating in - and I hope you can get some clarification on that from whomever you are working with, sincerely.

There is an implied statement in your question. The question could easily be rewritten "Many transgirls have mental health problems. Why?" with no change in meaning. Certainly my experience has been that nearly all of us have some sort of behavioral pathology. Now behavior problems do not mean you're hearing voices telling you to burn things, but the thing is, much of what we call "mental illness" is just negative social-emotional behavior. Yet, the word negative requires you to ask "negative according to whom?" The answer is often just negative according to what society considers normal and acceptable. One of the great challenges of the mental heath field is the extent to which "mental health problem" is just a stand in for "different from social norms." And let's be honest here, we're mostly talking about tgirls in porn, because that's what we all know, and if you were to ask "mainstream society" what sort of girl goes into porn, the answer would be "one with some serious 'mental health' issues".

And I don't have access to anyone to "work with". That, coupled with my near complete social isolation, means this forum is the outlet I have.

[Nikka]

names tatiana :)

[GroobySteven]

There is an implied statement in your question. The question could easily be rewritten "Many transgirls have mental health problems. Why?" with no change in meaning. Certainly my experience has been that nearly all of us have some sort of behavioral pathology. Now behavior problems do not mean you're hearing voices telling you to burn things, but the thing is, much of what we call "mental illness" is just negative social-emotional behavior. Yet, the word negative requires you to ask "negative according to whom?" The answer is often just negative according to what society considers normal and acceptable. One of the great challenges of the mental heath field is the extent to which "mental health problem" is just a stand in for "different from social norms." And let's be honest here, we're mostly talking about tgirls in porn, because that's what we all know, and if you were to ask "mainstream society" what sort of girl goes into porn, the answer would be "one with some serious 'mental health' issues".

And I don't have access to anyone to "work with". That, coupled with my near complete social isolation, means this forum is the outlet I have.

I'm not going to get into this with you Miranda.
I think you need to look for help off this board and trying to discuss mental health issues where, given the posts you've made here and on other social networks isn't helpful to you.
I don't mean this to be cruel, dismissive or unkind - but I really don't think this place and the amount you're sharing (and the attention that it's got) can be good for you.

[Jamie French]

I've been around the block, 9 maybe 10 times in my life... met a lot of every kind of folk there is to meet. I haven't found transgendered people to be any more fucked up than your average work-a-day schmo. There just isn't any evidence for it. In fact, out of all the people I've encountered who lead sad sack lives because of faulty brain meat, maybe 2 of them have been trans-gendered. The great majority were all cis. (I've been a rock musician more than half my life... I've met some sick puppies, believe you me.)

[nysprod]

I'm not going to get into this with you Miranda.
I think you need to look for help off this board and trying to discuss mental health issues where, given the posts you've made here and on other social networks isn't helpful to you.
I don't mean this to be cruel, dismissive or unkind - but I really don't think this place and the amount you're sharing (and the attention that it's got) can be good for you.


Idk if we can say this is exactly correct...while I would suggest Miranda needs professional help to actually resolve issues, from what I've seen she's made friends and found support here which perhaps is useful to some degree.

[GroobySteven]

Idk if we can say this is exactly correct...while I would suggest Miranda needs professional help to actually resolve issues, from what I've seen she's made friends and found support here which perhaps is useful to some degree.

I'm not going to get into discussing Miranda in the 3rd person.

How many of the people on here do you really know as friends or have had personal interaction with?
Would you expect or even want support from here other than something TS/porn related?
Don't you think that much of the support from here (or on other social networks where it's fan based) has little validity other than "fans" trying to appease or pander?

[Jamie French]

As an aside... I'll never qualify anything I have to say, as I mean every last word, but my use of hyperbolic rhetoric is definitely meant to raise a smirk from my more knowing and sardonic readers.

Hope that clears some things up because what I wrote above is as close as I'll ever come to diplomacy on these boards.

[sosed]

There is an implied statement in your question. The question could easily be rewritten "Many transgirls have mental health problems. Why?" with no change in meaning. Certainly my experience has been that nearly all of us have some sort of behavioral pathology. Now behavior problems do not mean you're hearing voices telling you to burn things, but the thing is, much of what we call "mental illness" is just negative social-emotional behavior. Yet, the word negative requires you to ask "negative according to whom?" The answer is often just negative according to what society considers normal and acceptable. One of the great challenges of the mental heath field is the extent to which "mental health problem" is just a stand in for "different from social norms." And let's be honest here, we're mostly talking about tgirls in porn, because that's what we all know, and if you were to ask "mainstream society" what sort of girl goes into porn, the answer would be "one with some serious 'mental health' issues".

And I don't have access to anyone to "work with". That, coupled with my near complete social isolation, means this forum is the outlet I have.

I don't live in your country and I don't know how supporting is organized, but is there any LGBT office near, which could give you any help or recommend proper specialists who could help you? Maybe you could find some friends in LGBT community. The worst is to isolate yourself and be alone with problems. Of course you have to work with your problems yourself, but with proper guide and support it is far easier than without. Forum is good to talk with others and to get an advice, but it could not substitute a physical presence of someone near to you.

[GroobySteven]

I don't live in your country and I don't know how supporting is organized, but is there any LGBT office near, which could give you any help or recommend proper specialists who could help you? Maybe you could find some friends in LGBT community. The worst is to isolate yourself and be alone with problems. Of course you have to work with your problems yourself, but with proper guide and support it is far easier than without. Forum is good to talk with others and to get an advice, but it could not substitute a physical presence of someone near to you.

http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=84039

[tsmirandameadows]

I'm not going to get into this with you Miranda.
I think you need to look for help off this board and trying to discuss mental health issues where, given the posts you've made here and on other social networks isn't helpful to you.
I don't mean this to be cruel, dismissive or unkind - but I really don't think this place and the amount you're sharing (and the attention that it's got) can be good for you.

It's better than nothing, which is the alternative.

[nysprod]

I'm not going to get into discussing Miranda in the 3rd person.

How many of the people on here do you really know as friends or have had personal interaction with?

Other guys like me? I would say 6 that I hang out with and talk to offline.


Would you expect or even want support from here other than something TS/porn related?

Not for myself, but I'm not dealing with the types of issues Miranda is.


Don't you think that much of the support from here (or on other social networks where it's fan based) has little validity other than "fans" trying to appease or pander?

I don't know about the type of support Miranda received on other social networks, but I would say a lot of what I saw on the "Goodbye" thread seemed the exact opposite.

[my my my!]

As someone who has been in long term relationships with transgendered females in various "stages" of transition I will say the following:

1: Transgendered females are subject to, or subjected to more discrimination and rejection than GG females. They get all the chauvinism that GG females get, PLUS all the discrimination and rejection that a gay man/transsexual gets.

2: therefore, it can be argued that this discrimination and rejection causes mental instability to some degree.

3: If there is mental instability in a Transsexual female, and it is triggered because of environmental and sociological factors, then it can be said the PERSON (not the trans status) has mental instability.

4: However , being TRANS in itself can be enough of a trigger for the mental instability.

Would the mental instability have happened if the person was not trans? Hard to say. Most people don't go to shrinks until they are already a nutcase or worse, commit suicide.

Out of all the trans that I know in person, and talk to on a frequent basis, the majority exhibit a varying degree of mental instability.

What does this means? Well, I'm not their personal shrink, so It doesn't mean anything other than they have issues. But we all have issues.

If you were to ask me, "do your trans friends SEEM TO HAVE MORE mental instability than your gg/male friends?" then, I would say most definitely , yes.

That's just my take, it does seem TRANSSEXUAL FEMALES have alot more to deal with than gg's/males (including transmen).

[GroobySteven]

If you were to ask me, "do your trans friends SEEM TO HAVE MORE mental instability than your gg/male friends?" then, I would say most definitely , yes.

That's just my take, it does seem TRANSSEXUAL FEMALES have alot more to deal with than gg's/males (including transmen).

No argument with your first point at all. I just disagree it's a majority.

I also agree with your second point but whether that's what leads to mental issues, is dependent on the person and possible other factors.

[asianphoenixx]

It seems like 90% of the girls I know are struggling with some kind of mental issue. Of course I would say this has to do with being transgender but rarely I meet a girl that is just down to earth, relax, and not a drama queen. I know sometimes it has to do with their past and experiences though but hopefully I start seeing a change in this. I know also a few transgender guys (at least 3) and at least all the ones I know don't have any of these mental issues and they just live a "regular" life. So is it the hormones the girls are taking? or not taking hormones what is causing this? Ok now I am lost, LOL. what is your opinion on this?

I disagree and agree to some extends.

I agree that those who work in "adult industry" seem to have this mental instability with few exceptions.

but i disagree if you look at tgirl in general.
I've met tgirls outside the porn and escorting, and mentally speaking, they are more healthy and stable. Especially those who have secured career and established their life in society.

Though my life is not easy, I personally think, i'm ok mentally.
Passability definitely helps. Our life as a tgirl is definitely more challenging if we are not passable.

And those who are really passable and mingling well in normal life/social setting, don't even consider them as tgirl anymore.

Honestly speaking, I start seeing myself to become that way.

My honest opinion, hours prior to my feminization surgery.

It's 2 am in Bangkok and i can't sleep due to excitement

cheers

[GroobySteven]

I agree that those who work in "adult industry" seem to have this mental instability with few exceptions.

but i disagree if you look at tgirl in general.
I've met tgirls outside the porn and escorting, and mentally speaking, they are more healthy and stable. Especially those who have secured career and established their life in society.

This would be the same in gender girls also.
Good luck with the surgery!

[nysprod]

This would be the same in gender girls also.
Good luck with the surgery!

I second that...all the best on your journey.

[runningdownthatdream]

I personally find Jamie's remarks rather harsh and dismissive of the obvious distress and emotional unhappiness felt by some girls. I know many - both those who escort and others. Some can, like Jamie roll with the punches and come back fighting. But some are very fragile emotionally - some because of family rejection, others because of other traumas around their gender issues. I'm very glad for Jamie that she is tough and not troubled by many of the things that knock some other girls sideways. But simply telling the emotionally fragile to get their act together and stop being wimps - essentially her message - is too simplistic. And perhaps as she is strong, some better advice to those who aren't would be more helpful?

Jamie's message could be interpreted as simplistic in the same way the over-the-top neediness so in fashion today could be simply interpreted as weakness. (Not every damn obstacle in life needs to be minutely analysed, consulted on with some specialized 'professional', or requires a 'support' group.) There are no fast and easy answers to deal with personal or mental health issues - some people respond to a kick in the ass and some to nurturing. At least Jamie is consistent with her message.

[jimbo00us]

Well, Miranda, It's obvious from trhe way you write that you have one thing going for you....you are really smart.

[BellaBellucci]

I would say that being trans is a slow burning trauma which often has severe deleterious effects on one's social-emotional functioning. Furthermore, I would say that being an MtF transsexual imposes certain psychological and particularly social demands which being an FtM does not. For example, bathroom scare screeds are always built around the notion of a perverted guy claiming to be a girl so that he can go into the women's restroom to molest the womenfolk and little girls: you never hear scare stories about perverted women sneaking into the men's room. Because of culture's gender norms, a "man masquerading as a woman" is perceived as threatening in a way that a "woman masquerading as a man" does not. Likewise, in fiction, the former is always treated as comic and absurd, the latter as a mark of cleverness. Couple with this with the insecurities and second class citizen status all women face, and being an MtF is probably the harder row to hoe, even if FtMs don't have an easy path either.

All that aside, being trans is traumatic. Furthermore, it is a lifelong trauma, which changes over time in form and intensity, but never fully goes away. The extent to which someone is able to manage that trauma depends a lot on external factors, i.e. family/social support, financial stability, supportive (or not) educational environment, supportive (or not) work environment, stable housing, unrelated mental health problems, disabilities, etc. If you have a bad mix of external factors, it becomes much harder to bear the trauma of being trans without there being lasting negative side effects on your psyche.

In my own case -- and I most certainly qualify as one of the drama queens you mentioned -- I had a very bad mix of external factors and I couldn't bear up under the weight of it all. That isn't to suggest that no one else has problems, just that when I consider my history from as objective a standpoint as I can muster, it is little wonder I'm as fucked as I am. My family history is extremely fucked up, featuring long-term abuse and poverty, parents with mental health problems and a brother with severe physical disability absorbing all of the energy and effort of the family. I experienced pretty severe bullying in my school years, eventually leading to a behavior pattern of social isolation and inability to form friendships/relationships which persists to this day. I inherited a bipolar spectrum mood disorder from my great grandfather, and as a consequence I was in and out of school as a kid, unable to maintain a stable mood state for any extended period of time. That pattern of cycling between marginal functionality and complete dysfunctionality has persisted into my adult years. My initial attempts at transition were very unsuccessful and led to near complete social rejection and long term unemployment. I could go on, and while I don't mean to suggest that I'm the only one with problems, I do want to emphasize that the sum total of the challenges I have faced has been quite large, and the fact that I am such damaged goods is directly related to that.

... aaaand </thread>.

~BB~

[Tina Francis]

...I think that everyone who posts here is nut's...so there...

[BellaBellucci]

http://s3.favim.com/orig/41/george-carlin-men-quote-text-women-Favim.com-347531.jpg

~BB~

[TatianaSummer]

names tatiana :)

1) Nikka
2) Tatiana
3) Nikka
4) Tatiana

:)

que bellas las dos!

[mildcigar_2001]

I found this a very interesting, thought provoking thread with a minimum of name calling and the word "horseshit" was only used 3 or 4 times.

I wonder if today's Jersey Shore/Jerry Springer culture has not exacerbated the poor mental health within the trans community. GGs and TGs watch the above mentioned shows and think it is okay/normal to flip out at the least provocation. Society is also at fault in demanding that people behave with proper decorum (at least in public).

One would think that if one were walking a tightrope anyway that one would have the common sense to dial it down a little bit (or dial it down a lot in the case of Ms. French).
Chronic overreaction to stimuli always seems to inflame the situation.

[Brassai]

Lots of valid, intelligent, heartfelt arguments and comments here. But a question hit me the other day. Is there any valid data out there? Lots of anecdotal, personal evidence cited here but only glittering generalities regarding the overall population. For instance something tragic but easy to measure, has anyone studied the incidence of suicide in the trans population? What frequency? Greater among M2F or F2M? At what point in transition? Anybody ever study a reasonably large sample of M2F subjects from start of transition to say 5 yrs later and administer MMPI's or extended interviews at selected intervals? Don't know how much that info would help in relieving suffering but it would be a start at least in trying to understand behaviors.

[STARTUP999]

Well, Miranda, It's obvious from trhe way you write that you have one thing going for you....you are really smart.

No kidding.

Miranda I appreciate your insights as well as other who have differing opinons.
I hope you can find some solice in opening up so publicly. It may even be helpful to some girl struggling with her own issues.

Even though I am here for the porn, its nice to see the forum rise above it now and then.

[SammiValentine]

It seems like 90% of the girls I know are struggling with some kind of mental issue. Of course I would say this has to do with being transgender but rarely I meet a girl that is just down to earth, relax, and not a drama queen. I know sometimes it has to do with their past and experiences though but hopefully I start seeing a change in this. I know also a few transgender guys (at least 3) and at least all the ones I know don't have any of these mental issues and they just live a "regular" life. So is it the hormones the girls are taking? or not taking hormones what is causing this? Ok now I am lost, LOL. what is your opinion on this?

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transmentalhealth.aspx

Covers most of the bases :)

[zerrrr]

I'm not going to get into discussing Miranda in the 3rd person.

How many of the people on here do you really know as friends or have had personal interaction with?
Would you expect or even want support from here other than something TS/porn related?
Don't you think that much of the support from here (or on other social networks where it's fan based) has little validity other than "fans" trying to appease or pander?

A few but we all drifted apart when Allanah, Sunny, and Dina's parties broke up. Those were the days. The days of trying to sneak 40's into Allanah's parties with NYCe, Pickles, and Bigguy are long gone.

No. If you want actual support there are small Transgendered social networks popping up left and right. People are tired of the drama associated with Facebook and are looking at different areas. Many are micro-sized, maybe 1,000 people worldwide but they can be much more supportive. Some have 24 hour chats which are cool. No chasing and no girls pandering. Just support, if Miranda is interested I can point her to a couple. Just send me a PM.

[Prospero]

I personally know a few Brits here - and we meet (and i don't just mean escorts)

[EvonRose]

show me a normal person now these days?

Hormone induced body, social inequality will def bring in some anger in the oppressed human situation.

Social induced mental instability, chip in the shoulders is all a revolving history.

This does not mean or make a ts more susceptible to mental instability, self harm, or depression because it's part of transsexuality.

ANYONE in the oppressed situation would be as, if not even more affected.

[NYBURBS]

I personally think that these girls are all fine, just that the problems are being created by society. If society wasn't as how it is on them then they would not be running into so many situations, lowering problems means less stress and more positive foundation to keep moving forward with their heads up. From the boys pointing their finger to the professionals at gov offices it all stacks up until these girls can't handle. If society didn't judge them and was fine and "normal" to them then this girls would feel more comfortable being themselves.

I wonder how much of what people talk about is actual mental illness and how much of it is behavior based on personality traits. For instance, I've met TS that you could tell had been abused or abandoned many times over, and they understandably had trust and anger issues. Then of course there is the problem with society not being particularly embracing or understanding.

However, then there are TS I've met that just seem to be naturally catty, flamboyant and quick to anger, more so than most (same thing with some gay men I've observed). Now, you have all types of people in the world, but maybe some groups tend to have more of one type than another.

I'm not putting this out there are any type of definitive opinion, rather just random thoughts on the subject.

[LI SEAN08]

Its a damn shame when a tranny starts off as an innocent young lets say 17 or 18 yr old and u can tell she has potential. You befriend her, and help her out thru her yrs of progressing. One day she gets tits, which are spot on, and u notice her ass developing and her dude face even changing into a gurls. Sex is still great, and sooner or later she changes completely, from innocent teenager fem boi, to a foul mouthed revengeful, spiteful, lying, money hungry hooker whore, on hormones one day and off the next... to someone you don't even get turned on to any further, and wonder how other guys can!!

[runningdownthatdream]

Its a damn shame when a tranny starts off as an innocent young lets say 17 or 18 yr old and u can tell she has potential. You befriend her, and help her out thru her yrs of progressing. One day she gets tits, which are spot on, and u notice her ass developing and her dude face even changing into a gurls. Sex is still great, and sooner or later she changes completely, from innocent teenager fem boi, to a foul mouthed revengeful, spiteful, lying, money hungry hooker whore, on hormones one day and off the next... to someone you don't even get turned on to any further, and wonder how other guys can!!

You really need to make an exit from this board, first bragging about 'yoking' and beating up girls over in the NY Reviews thread and now this shit.

[TatianaSummer]

Its a damn shame when a tranny starts off as an innocent young lets say 17 or 18 yr old and u can tell she has potential. You befriend her, and help her out thru her yrs of progressing. One day she gets tits, which are spot on, and u notice her ass developing and her dude face even changing into a gurls. Sex is still great, and sooner or later she changes completely, from innocent teenager fem boi, to a foul mouthed revengeful, spiteful, lying, money hungry hooker whore, on hormones one day and off the next... to someone you don't even get turned on to any further, and wonder how other guys can!!

Your reply has nothing to do with this thread.

[TatianaSummer]

I wonder how much of what people talk about is actual mental illness and how much of it is behavior based on personality traits. For instance, I've met TS that you could tell had been abused or abandoned many times over, and they understandably had trust and anger issues. Then of course there is the problem with society not being particularly embracing or understanding.

However, then there are TS I've met that just seem to be naturally catty, flamboyant and quick to anger, more so than most (same thing with some gay men I've observed). Now, you have all types of people in the world, but maybe some groups tend to have more of one type than another.

I'm not putting this out there are any type of definitive opinion, rather just random thoughts on the subject.

I second that.

[LI SEAN08]

OH, I was bragging was I? Figures a weak minded moron like yourself would interpret what I had to say as bragging. I suppose I was just supposed to stand there and let her attack me then??? And Now u attack something in this thread that I have actually experienced? Did I mention her name dude???

[LI SEAN08]

Your reply has nothing to do with this thread.

Why would u say that? I personally was involved with a t gurl who went thru exactly what I described. That would b categorized as mental issues tied into hormones and other things I left out.

[simonisthebest]

u need to bring up name, who u talkin about ?

[LI SEAN08]

u need to bring up name, who u talkin about ?
No I don't!!!l Last time I did that, I was attacked by certain individuals with their own ulteria motives to try and shut me up.

[simonisthebest]

nah homie , i was talkin to tatiana,im just wonderin who she talkin about...who strugglin with mental issues theses days ?

[Tara Emory]

Well, so much for adding anything to that thread. That quickly turned to total crap.

[LI SEAN08]

OK.... Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Ben in LA]

Its a damn shame when a tranny starts off as an innocent young lets say 17 or 18 yr old and u can tell she has potential. You befriend her, and help her out thru her yrs of progressing. One day she gets tits, which are spot on, and u notice her ass developing and her dude face even changing into a gurls. Sex is still great, and sooner or later she changes completely, from innocent teenager fem boi, to a foul mouthed revengeful, spiteful, lying, money hungry hooker whore, on hormones one day and off the next... to someone you don't even get turned on to any further, and wonder how other guys can!!

Many people are going to be surprised about this, and many folks will change their opinion about me...but what he said has some truth to it. Even though I haven't been intimate up with them, I do know of quite a few girls that are just like this.

[dderek123]

Well, so much for adding anything to that thread. That quickly turned to total crap.


Are you surprised?

[Tara Emory]

Are you surprised?

not really. I sorta have been avoiding getting involved at all on this board once I saw the quality of the posters go waaaaay downhill.

HA isn't what it was.

[TatianaSummer]

Many people are going to be surprised about this, and many folks will change their opinion about me...but what he said has some truth to it. Even though I haven't been intimate up with them, I do know of quite a few girls that are just like this.

We are not talking if its true or not Ben. We are talking that it has nothing to do with this thread. So now you will be one of the cry babies as well??
If the girl doesn't want to be with you anymore for any reason or she's a bitch now then just be the first to dump her and look for another girl starting and go all over the cycle. Many needs your help not only one. LOL
Its not like the end of the world.
:geek:

[TatianaSummer]

Its a damn shame when a tranny starts off as an innocent young lets say 17 or 18 yr old and u can tell she has potential. You befriend her, and help her out thru her yrs of progressing. One day she gets tits, which are spot on, and u notice her ass developing and her dude face even changing into a gurls. Sex is still great, and sooner or later she changes completely, from innocent teenager fem boi, to a foul mouthed revengeful, spiteful, lying, money hungry hooker whore, on hormones one day and off the next... to someone you don't even get turned on to any further, and wonder how other guys can!!

Ohh ok now I get your point. I thought you were just trying to talk about some fem boi using you.

[LI SEAN08]

Many people are going to be surprised about this, and many folks will change their opinion about me...but what he said has some truth to it. Even though I haven't been intimate up with them, I do know of quite a few girls that are just like this.

well thank you, cause hopefully someone of your stature has a lot more personal experience in some of these disassociated identity crisises these gurls go thru!!

[LI SEAN08]

We are not talking if its true or not Ben. We are talking that it has nothing to do with this thread. So now you will be one of the cry babies as well??
If the girl doesn't want to be with you anymore for any reason or she's a bitch now then just be the first to dump her and look for another girl starting and go all over the cycle. Many needs your help not only one. LOL
Its not like the end of the world.
:geek:
Holy shit,...... who said she doesn't want to b with me any longer!!!!!!!
Im the one who lost interest.....!!!!!!! Or is it u just have an agender with me?? I still see her to this day!!!!!!!:smileysex:

[Felicia Katt]

Some girls are crazy because they transitioned
Some girls transition because they are crazy.
Some girls go crazy with their transition.
Some girl go crazy without it.

Some girls have problems with their transition because of mental issues
Some girls have problems with their mental issues because of transition.

Saying some girls is not the same as saying the sum of all girls But some of those who for whom it can be said are some of the most visible or representative girls and they set the trend or create the meme. Most girls will deal better with whatever their issues are with greater tolerance and support and acceptance. Its nearly impossible to know which ones won't. It best to try to treat everyone as well as you can and hope its received and benefits as intended, since it really doesn't cost anything to pay respect. Or attention.

FK

[Ben in LA]

We are not talking if its true or not Ben. We are talking that it has nothing to do with this thread. So now you will be one of the cry babies as well??
Nope.

If the girl doesn't want to be with you anymore for any reason or she's a bitch now then just be the first to dump her and look for another girl starting and go all over the cycle. Many needs your help not only one. LOL
Its not like the end of the world.
:geek:
Sure I'd be hurt, but I'll move on as well. Too many fish in the sea. People change...just not always for the better.

[Ben in LA]

Its best to try to treat everyone as well as you can and hope its received and benefits as intended, since it really doesn't cost anything to pay respect. Or attention.

FK
True...but is someone doesn't appreciate that, then fuck 'em. Someone who I thought was a close friend turned on me due to a misunderstanding and second hand information. Am I chasing after them for friendship? Shit, no. I was doing fine before I met them; I can do even better after the friendship ends.

[michelle28bc1]

Firt very few tgirls have mental problems, just like regular girls.
Yes being trans could face a lot of issues and pressure but it doesn't mean you have to be weak and surrender to them, instead of crying and bitching all day why not tough up and stand up against them.
If you grow up in a poor family, then earn a lot of money.
If your parents are abusive, then be a good parent yourself.
If your friends don't like you, then tell them to fuck off and make some new friends.
The world is cruel and brutal, crying for help is never gonna work.
No one is gonna show up miracally to help you and the only way to survive is to be stronger and tougher than others, than anyone else.

[yodajazz]

Some girls are crazy because they transitioned
Some girls transition because they are crazy.
Some girls go crazy with their transition.
Some girl go crazy without it.

Some girls have problems with their transition because of mental issues
Some girls have problems with their mental issues because of transition.

Saying some girls is not the same as saying the sum of all girls But some of those who for whom it can be said are some of the most visible or representative girls and they set the trend or create the meme. Most girls will deal better with whatever their issues are with greater tolerance and support and acceptance. Its nearly impossible to know which ones won't. It best to try to treat everyone as well as you can and hope its received and benefits as intended, since it really doesn't cost anything to pay respect. Or attention.

FK

This close to what I was going to say. Everyone in life has stress, but trans women in general have less support networks. Major example is church. Many people use religion for comfort, including myself. However many also use religion to justify mistreatment of trans people,even though it goes against certain religious principles. As a result, I believe the trans community is lacking in knowledge of one of life's most essential keys to happiness. That key is to love others, as you love yourself. Giving to others, or something positive for the sake of Love, returns to the giver, as self fulfillment. But please note, you can't pour your love down a sewer, and be happy. Complicating this all, is that a trans person has to be selfish, to go against the grain of society, and even basic nature. This is why it is so important to teach the world that we all have the same purpose in life: that is to bring more Love into the world, and thus leave it with something positive. "Give and it shall be given unto you". And so it is!

[dderek123]

not really. I sorta have been avoiding getting involved at all on this board once I saw the quality of the posters go waaaaay downhill.

HA isn't what it was.

Well I'm still here m'lady.

http://i.imgur.com/YL3gbL3.gif

[Jackal]

Across society, at least in the U.S.A. where illness is stigmatized and treatment is a luxury, there is a larger problem with mental illness than most people realize. There can be stress and trauma, of course, from transphobia that transwomen experience but cisgender people do not.