To organize my thoughts, I would summarize it in the following outline:
MOTIVES, FORMS OF DETRANSITION, AND REGRET ABOUT TRANSITION
1. Through realization (psychological detransition)
1.1 It may or may not be accompanied by:
* medical detransition
* social detransition
* legal detransition
1.2 Some people consider that they have already passed the point of no medical return.
2. Due to dissatisfaction with the outcomes (without a full change in beliefs)
They may regret the medicalization or the harm suffered. They may feel angry with the medical system. However, they may still believe that they are, in essence, of the opposite sex. In these cases, the change is practical or reactive rather than ideological or identity-based.
If you’ve dealt with alcoholism, drug addiction and other compulsive behaviors this is a superb mirror to how people exit those conditions.
Acknowledgment - the nagging
feeling, the realization that all is not right; The pretense to others, hiding a situation, the social transition to not drinking or using; The medical effects, rehab. Dealing with the legal effects drinking or drugs may have brought on - crime, harm, punishment.
I am surprised “transanon” has not surfaced for those who have succumbed to the compulsion, and wish to leave.
Very good article. Perhaps it was said somewhere in the article, but I think it should be emphasised that these developments may happen in a different order. Our daughter, for example, decided to discontinue the hormones because of side effects, but so far still identifies as trans, uses male name and pronouns, etc. This may or may not lead to other decisions eventually . . .
I have a genuine question about the impact of gender altering medicines. Do some medicines create Hugh weight gain? I watched a ‘ trans man’ ie a female who seemed so grossly uncomfortable she was effectively disabled by the bulging legs and thighs . She was quite short and had the beginnings of a straggling beard . I felt so concerned for her. Can these drugs do this to a body.
Apologies my comment above got posted while I was working on it .and the
I initially saw that medical transition was a medical scandal of our times. I have worked publicly on improving medical accountability and patients rights
Especially informed consent. And the impacts on harmed patients are very similar. So when i became aware of gender medicine i interviewed a number of detrasitioners. While medically harmed people would recognise much in Stella’s analysis and share many issues such as lack of or biased information are similar as are the issues around choice and especially self presentation and legal implications are especially difficult. Stella’s sympathetic analysis will assist detrans on this difficult path
Excellent comprehensive article, Stella.
Detransitioners deserve the full support of the medical & psychological community. This should be covered by insurance.
Every individual will have a different pathway.
I do think the fear of losing community is immense.
Thank you for outlining these stages and showing us the complexity of "detransition."
This essay shows deep and real compassion.
Great article, Stella!
To organize my thoughts, I would summarize it in the following outline:
MOTIVES, FORMS OF DETRANSITION, AND REGRET ABOUT TRANSITION
1. Through realization (psychological detransition)
1.1 It may or may not be accompanied by:
* medical detransition
* social detransition
* legal detransition
1.2 Some people consider that they have already passed the point of no medical return.
2. Due to dissatisfaction with the outcomes (without a full change in beliefs)
They may regret the medicalization or the harm suffered. They may feel angry with the medical system. However, they may still believe that they are, in essence, of the opposite sex. In these cases, the change is practical or reactive rather than ideological or identity-based.
If you’ve dealt with alcoholism, drug addiction and other compulsive behaviors this is a superb mirror to how people exit those conditions.
Acknowledgment - the nagging
feeling, the realization that all is not right; The pretense to others, hiding a situation, the social transition to not drinking or using; The medical effects, rehab. Dealing with the legal effects drinking or drugs may have brought on - crime, harm, punishment.
I am surprised “transanon” has not surfaced for those who have succumbed to the compulsion, and wish to leave.
Very good article. Perhaps it was said somewhere in the article, but I think it should be emphasised that these developments may happen in a different order. Our daughter, for example, decided to discontinue the hormones because of side effects, but so far still identifies as trans, uses male name and pronouns, etc. This may or may not lead to other decisions eventually . . .
I have a genuine question about the impact of gender altering medicines. Do some medicines create Hugh weight gain? I watched a ‘ trans man’ ie a female who seemed so grossly uncomfortable she was effectively disabled by the bulging legs and thighs . She was quite short and had the beginnings of a straggling beard . I felt so concerned for her. Can these drugs do this to a body.
Stella our analysis so very helpful. I understood that to transition medicine
Apologies my comment above got posted while I was working on it .and the
I initially saw that medical transition was a medical scandal of our times. I have worked publicly on improving medical accountability and patients rights
Especially informed consent. And the impacts on harmed patients are very similar. So when i became aware of gender medicine i interviewed a number of detrasitioners. While medically harmed people would recognise much in Stella’s analysis and share many issues such as lack of or biased information are similar as are the issues around choice and especially self presentation and legal implications are especially difficult. Stella’s sympathetic analysis will assist detrans on this difficult path
Beautifully written and comprehensively explained. I learned a lot from this essay. Thank you Stella as always for the Trojan work you are doing. ❤️