Feeling uncomfortable in your body does not mean you are mentally ill.
Many people—especially women—feel uneasy about their shape, voice, or social roles because the world teaches us that only narrow “feminine” or “masculine” styles are acceptable. “Most women are dysphoric about their bodies… being uncomfortable about your body is pretty much part of being a woman,” notes Lucretia123 source [citation:1239b60e-6d9c-4899-9353-827d3d6a39e7]. These feelings are painful, but they are usually a reaction to outside pressure, not a sign of sickness inside you.

Gender distress is better helped with therapy than with hormones or surgery.
People who once took cross-sex hormones often say the drugs did not fix the root problem. “Transition didn’t cure my dysphoria. For me, it was a mental illness that was healed with mental health therapy,” reports L82Desist source [citation:6557287e-64ac-44be-a0d0-e6115a793703]. Therapy that explores trauma, anxiety, or self-esteem lets you keep your healthy body while easing the ache you feel inside.

Rigid gender rules—not your mind—create the urge to escape your sex.
When boys are told it is shameful to be gentle or girls are told strong equals male, it is easy to believe you were “meant” to be the other sex. “A boy who was taught that… only females are allowed to be ‘feminine’… doesn’t accept their androgynous self and suffers immensely,” explains darya42 source [citation:3495c61f-bdc5-41db-999b-f2375d9fdd2c]. Rejecting those rules—wearing what you like, loving whom you love—brings relief without a single pill or procedure.

You can be a gentle man, a tough woman, or anything in-between without changing your body.
“You can do anything and like anything you want, while still being a man,” reminds LavenderProud source [citation:08098b7e-a33b-40ee-8368-b77c378707dc]. Choosing clothes, hobbies, or friends that feel right is called gender non-conformity, and it is a safe, affirming path toward liking yourself exactly as you are.

Summary:
Feeling at odds with your body is common and painful, but it is not proof of mental illness. The hurt usually comes from outside stereotypes, not from something broken within you. Talking with a trusted counselor, building supportive friendships, and giving yourself permission to dress or act in ways that feel authentic can ease distress without lifelong medical intervention. You are already enough; letting go of rigid “boy” or “girl” boxes can set you free.