I was meant to record a segment for a radio program to discuss some of the unique implications that being trans can have for your mental health. We’d decided to talk a bit about how I’d ended up getting an ADHD diagnosis as a result of starting feminizing hormones, they’d made it significantly worse and I was struggling to keep up with daily life.
Now I’ve ended up having to put that recording off for a while because I was struggling with some pretty severe depression, but it seems like this is probably borderline personality disorder. I saw a few Reddit posts where some said they’d had noticed theirs get worse after starting hrt and I’m wondering if anyone here has experienced anything like this, or knows about research into it?
Could be any disorder or condition, it’s all good to know about as there doesn’t seem to be that much info out there beyond people’s experiences, it could help others to hear yours. (I’ll add mine to the comments)
I won’t share any details on that program beyond what I get your consent for or anything reasonably vague such as “I spoke to x other people who’ve had similar experiences.”
I also got my ADHD diagnosed some time after starting HRT. I can’t say whether hormones made it better or worse, but I think I’m more aware of how my mind is working now rather than dissociating all the time. I think going to the clinic for HRT made it easier to go see someone about mental stuff.
My partner insists I’m ASD as well, which seems plausible. Apparently Trans + ADHD + ASD is kind of a set menu.
My mood goes up and down a lot more now too, and I tend to burst into tears easily. Which might look like I’m in a worse state, but it’s really just that I’m present finally and I can feel things. Other people have said the same thing, but I feel human at last.
Oh, and I don’t remember where I heard this, but treating ADHD can cause other mental issues to reveal themselves. So it might not be HRT at fault.
Oh thanks, that’s a useful insight I didn’t know that about ADHD. I’d read a little saying treating ADHD could relieve BPD but that doesn’t seem to be the case for me haha.
Yeah the AuDHD trans thing is painfully real, it’s me to a T. It’s been really nice having an emotional range that I hadn’t felt since before puberty, but it’s also a big challenge to learn to live this way and to feel so much more vulnerable and fragile.
Thank you for sharing your story, I really appreciate it.
I have the same experience of feeling present and human after HRT. Before that I just felt like I was on full autopilot.