In a world of differences where no one is comfortable with who they are and everyone wants to be something different, or at least it seems that way,
“Who’s feelings matter most?”
Let’s explore a few examples of people’s feelings who are having a hard time with life as is and exhibit strong feelings of needing to change in order to “feel better”, shall we? All of these people are showing signs of discomfort to some degree and are unable to cope with life, they all require change in order to live a happy content life.
Body Dysmorphia:
- First recorded in 1845–50; from Greek dysmorphía “misshapenness, ugliness,” equivalent to prefix dys- “hard, bad, unlucky” + morphḗ “form, shape” + -ía abstract noun suffix; dys- ( def ), -morph ( def ), -ia ( def )
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or body dysmorphia, is a mental health condition where a person spends a lot of time worrying about flaws in their appearance. These flaws are often unnoticeable to others. (nhs)
Our first example is that of a women who lives with deep depression because she feels as if she is ugly and thinks that the only way to live a happy fullfilling life is to find a way to change her appearance. Otherwise she doesn’t want to continue living on earth as she was born.
The second example is of a women who also is unhappy and get deal with her life because she doesn’t have the ideal body shape, she either wants to be skinnier or curvier in order to be sexy and appealing to others. She also is deeply depressed and feels as if she can’t go on living in the world as she naturally is unless she can find a way to change her shape that she is unable to cope with having.
Our third case is of a woman who was born a woman and she can’t deal with her natural figure that she was given at birth and feels she needs to have the body of a man in order to cope with life. This woman who feels deeply depressed and unable to live life as a woman identifies as being a man and needs to change her physical figure in order to continue living on earth. Otherwise, she won’t be able to deal with being in the world as a woman and seeing herself as a woman.
All of the above examples are extreme cases of deep levels of depressed individuals who feel they need intervention in order to continue their life. The only difference is that one case is being seen as unique and given special treatment in identifying their needs above the others, so much so, that the government has acquired funding for those who need it, to support them in their physical transformations.
I often wonder why? Why would one group, from the above examples, be highlighted as more important than the others? Why is the government funding these expensive treatments and promoting their issues above all others? Why is it that the world seems to hold special reference to the transgenders mental afflictions and overlook the mental torment of so many others?
Do you think that it’s fair to single out one group of mentally disturbed individuals and provide care for them to change themselves in order to cope with life? What about the current healthcare system that is providing mental health services to these individuals, “Do you think it is appropriate for healthcare providers to suggest or support the message that, “They are not enough just as is, and sign off on life threatning procedures to aide in their physical changes?”
Are you concerned at the amplification of the underlying messages being giving that support the insecurites of these already vulnerable beings? Should the message from a healthcare provider be supporting the idea that people need to change themselves in order to “feel” better and have a good life? Should these healthcare providers be held at a higher standard, due to their position of trust given, in dealing with such vulnerable people?
I know there are some who would claim that transgender is not just about body dysmorphia but deeper than that. But let’s breakdown the basics, they “feel” unhappy with their physical appearance. It does not match their feelings of identity. Their feelings of identity is a whole other topic and that is the mental disorder that needs to be treated. Physical appearance is a superficial aspect of life in general. People have so much more to give concern to, like how we act and treat one another, or what we have to contribute to the world.
Message from the author:
I support the message that each individual, no matter how you were born, is more than enough to live and find a way to cope with your current life journey just as you are! Especially if you were given a specific body form, your life journey is to have this experience. Now don’t get me wrong, there are many options to alter the physical body with applied works. For instance, for someone wanting to change their weight or shape we have plenty of safe methods to support a healthy lifestyle and getting those changes. No matter what the supporting aide should be in assistance to find a safe way to address vulneralbilities without explotaition. – Tiffany Milkhannie
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