It’s time for our series of posts here at Jessica Who?, titled “Word of the Week”. In these short articles, from here on out published each Friday, I will explore the various labels and umbrella terms used to label us. By doing this, I hope to educate not only myself, but also anyone who may not be familiar with these terms. Feel free to add your own knowledge to each post by leaving a comment 
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The label that we will be examining is: Gender Dysphoria
Standard Definition
“Gender Dysphoria” isn’t in the Merriam Webster dictionary officially, but each word is defined separately. A couple of weeks ago we covered the term gender.
Dysphoria means a state of unhappiness.
Derogatory?
No
What’s It Really Mean?
Much can be said about this topic, but essentially it describes any length of time when one feels upset about one’s birth gender.
My Take
I had never heard of this term until I started blogging extensively and even then it took me a while before I figured out the meaning. Although the term is usually applied to those who wish to transition their bodies to match their minds, I have also experienced this in my life.
Sure, I’m pretty well-adjusted but there are times when I wish my hands, shoulders, and feet were smaller. Males typically are larger in these areas of the body and I sometimes dream about the opposite. Though I do pep-talk myself through it and usually write a sketch or a joke about it, it does bother me sometimes (though much less than it used to).
However, I’m sure that’s nothing compared to what others in our community go through, it must be very tough. My thoughts are with you.
Your Take
Have you anything to add? Please leave your take on this word in the comments section, I hope we can open up a dialogue and learn from each other while educating the masses.
JessicaWhoHD
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that gender dysphoria is even a bit deeper than the things you mentioned. For example the people who want to transition to have their bodies match their minds. Even before the figure out that they want to transition comes the dysphoria. They start out as confused and have a hard time trying to understand themselves and probably go through much more than that. Once they figure out they want to transition they still have it. I am just putting some thought into the scenes of life before that. Gender dysphoria really has no limits and effects people of the tg spectrum on all levels and in different ways. I have even seen news broadcasts and shows of children who are gender dysphoric and are aware that they are around ages 3 to 6.
I dont like the word disphoria. I would say I have gender confusion but this really doesnt make me unhappy. It gives me a different perspective on just about everything but I find that interesting and not a feeling of unhappyness.