Testosterone & depression (transgender)?

[Hildy_ (imported)]

Hello all, I'm finally delurking after visiting these forums for a while, 'cause I have a question.

I'm coming to terms with being at the least partially transgender. I know I'm not a guy, contrary to all biological evidence, and I'm wondering if I should've been a girl instead. I'm in the process of figuring it all out with the help of a therapist.

However, for the last 6 months or so I've been feeling rather depressed. I can't put my mind to the things I used to enjoy, let alone doing the daily chores. This is not a new thing for me: it used to be that I felt like that for one or two weeks every two months or so. I think this started when my grades took a nosedive at the beginning of secondary school, back when I was 13 or so. But after an episode of that I sort of picked up the pieces and went on with my life, something I've not yet been able to do this time.

I mentioned this to my therapist, and he suggested anti-depressants. Now I'm not much of a believer in those, although that may be my cynical nature speaking.

However, in the process of figuring out where I belong in the gender spectrum, I noticed a lot of transgender people mentioning getting depressed by having the wrong "mix" of hormones for their brains. So, I'm thinking, should I maybe be asking for anti-androgens instead?

What do you guys/gals think? Any suggestions?

Thanks, Hildy.

[twaddler (imported)]

I find anti-depressants to be helpful -- you just need to find one that works for you, and at the lowest dosage possible.

And I have to say estrogen definitely helps my mood (maybe it's a placebo effect, who knows, but I dig it).

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

For some people antidepressants are a blessing and for others they are a curse. For me taking the right antidepressant at the right time led to solving that particular problem. Some times it is neccessary to try several antidepressants before the right one for you is located. If tou have complete confidence in therapist you can work together to find a solution. Talk over your concerns about hormones with him. --FLO--