Transsexualism, Transsexual Case Studies and Effective Treatment Alternatives to Gender Reassignment Surgery
Transsexualism and Behavioral Addiction
the theory behind behavioral addiction
We feel good when neurons in the reward pathway release a neurotransmitter, called dopamine, into the nucleus accumbens and other brain areas.
Neurons in the reward pathway communicate with each other by sending electrical signals down their axons. The signal is passed to the next neuron across a small gap called the synapse.
When Dopamine is release into the synapse and crosses to the next neuron and binds to receptors, we feel a burst of pleasure. Excess dopamine is returned to the sending cell through a reuptake gateway. Other nerve cells release GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that works to prevent the receptor nerve from being over stimulated. (See figure 3: an example of a healthy reward system)
Behavioral addiction sets in when endorphins increase the amount of dopamine in the synapse, heightening the feeling of pleasure, while at the same time endorphins block the reuptake of the dopamine, while at the same time endorphins block the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter. Under such conditions the brain never feels satisfaction and person has to act out the behavioral addiction to a greater degree to feel the same degree of satisfaction. (See figure 4: an example of a faulty reward system)
the relationship between autogynephilia and behavioral addiction
Phase 3, Escalation, of an autogynephilic disorder in males sets in during the period leading up to major invasive feminizing procedure, affecting the testosterone level, like a GRS procedure. By phase 3 the disorder firmly takes on the diagnostic characterists of a behavioral addiction. [Click here to read the diagnostic characteristics of behavioral addictions]
A person, who suffers from an autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, produces high amounts of endorphins in the pituitary gland of the brain that in turn produce high levels of dopamine—the chemical in the brain that affects the reward system—in the synapses. In fact the pituitary gland in the human brain typically produces endorphins during orgasm or similar sexual stimulus. The consideration of a gender transition qualifies as a sexual stimulus.
As dopamine is the gasoline of the reward system, the brain's own inhibitory system acts as the brake, stabilizing mood. When the person's inhibitory system, which is attenuated by the chemical, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), fails to function correctly, the brains never feels a sense of satisfaction. Thus, the endorphins of the person, who has an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, acts on the GABA as well, suppressing it. In effect the endorphins shut down the GABA, causing a fault in this critical function.
As the brain rewards the practice of autogynephilia it does so like any other behavioral addiction. The unusually high levels of dopamine coupled with the throttling of the GABA cause euphoria. A person, who suffers from an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, will typically report some degree of euphoria. In fact as the person takes steps in their respective gender transition, each one seems the correct one.
A person, who suffers from an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3 and who also possesses a sex drive, will invoke masturbation thoughts that are not indigenous to a member of the opposite sex. For example, natal females do not masturbate to the thought of developing breasts and switching sexes or similar rituals of becoming female. In fact 99% of natal females are not interested in transsexual topics at all. Yet, typically the afflicted individual is utterly incapable of recognizing his distinct sexual practices are not of the norm. In the case where the afflicted individual is, he evades the issue. In the absence of a sex drive, the person, who finds it exciting to live as a member of the opposite sex, is still producing endorphins and in turn the endorphins continue to act on the synapse in the same manner.
A person, who has an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3 may report his life 'improving'. He may even report that his life has never been better. Generally, a person, who suffers from an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, is not productive at work. The person is typically incapable of focusing on matters outside of his gender transition—even the mundane.
A person, who suffers from an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, will entertain over valued thoughts. The person may believe, for example, that their sex or gender transition doesn't really matter on the job. The person may believe that they are more attractive as a member of the opposite sex and are really meant to be a member of the opposite sex. The person may at age 40 or thereabouts, pose the question to himself, "why not spend the second half of my life as a member of the opposite sex?" which is an impossibility.
In addition to euphoria and over valued thoughts, a person, who has a severe degree of an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, will experience high levels of energy. The person may believe he is more mentally acute as a member of the opposite sex. The person may also subscribe to thoughts of grandeur; for example the belief that his life story is news worthy and should be published as a book and sold nationwide. In fact the person may publish a book only to see the stock of inventory be unsold and written off.
The person may also experience erratic mood swings and irritability. If the person is undergoing hormone replacement therapy, the synthetic estrogens will accentuate any such mood swings. If that happens, the person will begin to exercise poor judgment similar to the manic episode phase of an affected bi-polar disorder. The person may spend excessive amounts of money on wardrobe, etc. for the new person he is planning to bring into the world. In fact, the person, who has an affected autogynephilic disorder–phase 3, is not bringing anyone new into the world. On the contrary, he is bringing to bear enormous and unnecessary health challenges onto his life.
(See Chapter 4, Men Trapped In Men's Bodies for the complete narrative of the five phases of autogynephilia in males)
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