Naming The Gender Dysphoria
Externalization allows you to recognize that gender dysphoria is trying to control you. A key to externalization is recognizing that the problem is the problem, you are not the problem.
By seeing gender dysphoria as something separate from yourself, you can gain more control over its impact on your life.
Gender dysphoria can be powerful and it’s common to feel like you are the problem and become overwhelmed.
Through externalization you will be able to acknowledge that gender dysphoria is the actual problem we are dealing with, not you!
The first step, el primer paso, is to find a name for your symptoms of gender dysphoria. This name should be a noun that describes your experiences in a unique way. For instance, Que in the video named gender dysphoria “the distractor” because gender dysphoria diverts their attention and prevents them from fully engaging in their daily life.
What noun would you give to gender dysphoria?
What comes to mind when you think about how gender dysphoria tries to take control?
It’s useful to begin with “the” to give a name to this noun.
“It was really helpful to think of a name for my gender dysphoria, I hadn’t otherwise thought of that, but it helped me frame what it feels like for me in a different way.” (Black, gender fluid and nonbinary individual)
“I was skeptical about the idea of naming and personifying my dysphoria, but when I did it, I actually did find it helpful.” (white Ashkenzai, trans man)
