Thank you both for this article. I have yet to read Abigail's book, but as a female who spent the first twenty years of her life dysphoric, I share the concerns regarding significant upward trend in dysphoria diagnoses among young girls. As someone who knows firsthand the psychological agony of dysphoria, I don't wish it on anyone, and I…
Thank you both for this article. I have yet to read Abigail's book, but as a female who spent the first twenty years of her life dysphoric, I share the concerns regarding significant upward trend in dysphoria diagnoses among young girls. As someone who knows firsthand the psychological agony of dysphoria, I don't wish it on anyone, and I sincerely hope for betterment, health, and relief for anyone subject to it.
However, I worry that it is still a very poorly understood condition, especially by activists. We are doing our children a disservice by insulating them from all possible information and scientific study regarding this condition; and we are further dis-servicing children by potentially conflating "non conforming" behavior/preferences/feelings with what was once considered a very rare psychological disorder. Real, but rare.
Of course, as someone who has now lived on both sides of the dysphoria fence (it's been a decade now since I've struggled with it to the point of distress), neither my experience nor my opinion is welcome in activist circles - left or right. One side refuses to believe dysphoria exists at all, and the other side is far, far too quick to diagnose on superficial evidence and push for permanent bodily change in patients.
But I am once again encouraged by people like Katie Herzog and Abigail Shrier for continuing to provide a voice to those of us who chose treatment, solutions, approaches, and conclusions regarding this issue outside the current cultural dogma.
Keep up the good work. Thank you all for your courage.
I have long held the belief that these two ideas can indeed coexist: protecting the rights and dignity of transgender individuals while simultaneously allowing for scientific objectivity.
"... we are further dis-servicing children by potentially conflating "non conforming" behavior/preferences/feelings with what was once considered a very rare psychological disorder."
Thank you both for this article. I have yet to read Abigail's book, but as a female who spent the first twenty years of her life dysphoric, I share the concerns regarding significant upward trend in dysphoria diagnoses among young girls. As someone who knows firsthand the psychological agony of dysphoria, I don't wish it on anyone, and I sincerely hope for betterment, health, and relief for anyone subject to it.
However, I worry that it is still a very poorly understood condition, especially by activists. We are doing our children a disservice by insulating them from all possible information and scientific study regarding this condition; and we are further dis-servicing children by potentially conflating "non conforming" behavior/preferences/feelings with what was once considered a very rare psychological disorder. Real, but rare.
Of course, as someone who has now lived on both sides of the dysphoria fence (it's been a decade now since I've struggled with it to the point of distress), neither my experience nor my opinion is welcome in activist circles - left or right. One side refuses to believe dysphoria exists at all, and the other side is far, far too quick to diagnose on superficial evidence and push for permanent bodily change in patients.
But I am once again encouraged by people like Katie Herzog and Abigail Shrier for continuing to provide a voice to those of us who chose treatment, solutions, approaches, and conclusions regarding this issue outside the current cultural dogma.
Keep up the good work. Thank you all for your courage.
K
Best wishes to you Jump!
I have long held the belief that these two ideas can indeed coexist: protecting the rights and dignity of transgender individuals while simultaneously allowing for scientific objectivity.
"... we are further dis-servicing children by potentially conflating "non conforming" behavior/preferences/feelings with what was once considered a very rare psychological disorder."
Very important point.
I should also add, I'm a big fan of Dr. Harriet Hall and was glad to see that she continues to work tirelessly in the pursuit of scientific truth!
Thanks for your perspective