There are very few circumstances in life bearing so much uncertainty as deciding whether transition is the right thing to do. Even more frustrating is the fact that gender dysphoria arises uninvited and seemingly poised to destroy a person's life, family and social relationships. This article touches on the basic issues most people deal with prior to transition.

Approximately at the time transsexuals seek a Gender Specialized Evaluation to confirm or validate their identity, these individuals are also suffering early transition fears. And, these are no ordinary fears, such as a fear of spiders, instead it is an overwhelming sense of doom and prolonged anxiety.

One of the first things an individual must come to recognize is that resolving gender issues is not impossible. The issues are complex but manageable. I generally advise the person to start with a focus of stabilizing day-to-day life after scheduling an initial appointment for an evaluation. This is critical if the individual is to maintain critical resources and begin building the emotional stamina needed to deal with forthcoming changes. Not to be unkind, but this is also generally the time I instruct clients to make a list of questions as they await a first appointment, and practice setting these concerns aside for the future. Dealing with gender issues is, after all, very much a one-thing-at-a-time proposition.

For some individuals confirming a transsexual identity with an evaluation as well as acquiring a recommendation for hormones is paramount. Others prefer a self-guided transition. Whichever route a person pursues it is wise to learn what choices are possible. Do so before further exploring gender or disclosing to others. The majority of transition casualties arise when people fail to learn what pitfalls lay ahead or don't ask for help when things become complicated. This is particularly so at the beginning of transition.

There are also other things to consider. Transition and optimism are not generally thought of as terms that go together. However, these very much need to co-exist for transition to be successful. Nobody would dare punish or discriminate against teenagers for going through puberty, and so it should also be when people moving through other stages in life. For a person redefining gender identity, this is a time of exploration that should be cherished and memorable. This is an essential attitude I promote with my clients.

When looking to the future be mindful that full-time or permanent transition is not always right for everyone. Yet, it is also reasonable for a person to have questions and even doubts whether transition is even realistic. This uncertainty can range from healthy to disabling. A gradually-paced transition can help ease much of this anxiety, precisely because small steps forward are more easily managed. I do not recommend that anyone jump into full-time living in role without some exploration first, no matter how "transsexual" the person feels him or herself to be. Too much can go wrong.

One of the most significant hardships transsexuals encounter is rapid loss of employment and family. Gradual loss or change can be expected and managed, however, the immediate interruption of relationships and employment can be avoided by getting feedback on how to deal with these. Hearing the experiences of others is a positive start, but bear in mind that the experiences of new found friends may not precisely fit your situation. Before making major changes, like "coming out" to a loved one or co-worker, discuss your circumstances with a gender specializing counselor who is more likely to have helped others manage difficulties your friends may not have encountered.

Are you interested in hormones? Most transsexuals are and they want these as soon as possible without a wait. Sometimes this is where irrationality takes center stage. Everyone wants the physical development. And, of course, most people have heard or read the copious medical warnings. What people are least likely to hear of are the transsexual-oriented side effects.

Self-prescribing or taking what your friends take may not be right for your body type or transition needs. More, taking hormones has a way of rapidly advancing mental and physical development, often before a person is ready to deal with social implications.

Usually after starting hormones, the brain is effected with a hormonal wash, which makes it difficult or impossible to turn back the transition clock and manage things more realistically. If you are going to start hormones, do so with planning, with gradual implementation and with supervision. It is also wise to understand that "herbal hormones" do not have the potency of pharmaceutical grade hormones. A change from these to prescribed hormones will result in more life-changes than a person realizes is possible.

Dilemmas which arise during transition can vary between easily-resolved and complex. Again, I cannot overemphasize the point that you can handle transition with careful planning. Remember your goals: to resolve gender issues so that you can have some long-sought peace, and to become the person which matches your self-identification. After all, self-determination is a fundamental human right, including for those dealing with gender issues.