What is dysphoria?
Dysphoria, as described by detransitioners, is not simply disliking a body part—it is a visceral, whole-body revulsion that can feel like being wrapped in an “electric fence.” Possible-Skirt (detrans female) explains: “I’m entirely repulsed by my sex characteristics… a buzzing feeling in the parts I dislike… a most unpleasant one.” source [citation:18240566-ff19-455c-994c-9004aee0a57b]
A lifelong, existential mismatch
Several accounts stress that dysphoria is a deep, lifelong sense of being the wrong sex, not a passing discomfort. Nazianzun (detrans male) says: “It’s been a lifelong feeling… my self is fundamentally other than what my mind seems to expect.” source [citation:1994ff60-cbda-40ad-abbd-b4261a91bbcb]
Obsessive and crippling
The feeling can become so intense it blocks daily life. CarmellaKimara (detrans female) calls it “neurosis and compulsion… you can’t stop thinking about a particular thing that needs to be changed NOW.” source [citation:1ad01c82-5a87-483a-b646-cf8929a63f4f] trialeterror adds that the mere existence of her breasts made her “feel sick to my stomach… preventing you from living a regular life.” source [citation:32d1449a-adca-42a1-b13f-29cebfc45d63]
Not the same as ordinary body image worries
Detransitioners emphasize that dysphoria is not comparable to everyday insecurities. proof_of_ghosts clarifies: “Dysphoria means a kind of existential despair and acute rejection of self… feeling like an unacceptable human being.” source [citation:3910cc2f-9f69-483e-93d4-3ecd55898889]
In short, dysphoria is an overwhelming, lifelong, and often physically painful rejection of one’s sexed body that can dominate every waking moment.