Recognising gender dysphoria

For years, Pat* was haunted by the moment her father said he was disappointed that she was not a male. She had not come out intentionally at that time but as the situation unfolded, her father’s rejection cast a long shadow over her life.

She told herself she would make her parents proud even though she was a katoey. Pat won academic competitions and stood out on all fronts, however, her father still looked at her the same way.

But with time, she began to feel desperate and gave in. She stopped seeking the approval of her parents and came out of the closet. Of course, her father still did not accept her but she soon began to feel nothing.

“The way he looked at me was telling. He was looking at a katoey who didn’t have to prove herself. I am proud of myself and have made peace with it,” she said.

Looking back on those days, the trans medical…