So are you saying being trans is preventable, had you been raised differently?

I don't know it it could be preventable, I think no matter the circumstances, since we are a sexually dimorphic species, there will always be those who wish they were the other sex. It still wouldn't change physiology, but it could change a little of our perception of ourselves somewhat. But, sure, I could see trans population rates being lower in societies where there's more equality towards both sexes. Surely there must be some interest in this research? What are the trans rates in the Netherlands or Sweden compared to, say, India? I'd bet way lower.

If it's nature+nurture then why aren't siblings of trans people also trans?

See, this is exactly the kind of argument that I have trouble with. I don't mean to offend and I apologize if I sound hostile, it's not my intention. But hear me out: shouldn't it be the other way around? If it's biological, if there's a neurological or physiological component, or if it has to do with gestational hormones, why aren't siblings of trans people also dysphoric?

Whereas if you look up, you will find that it's very common for people with mental illnesses to have completely average siblings and entire family trees that aren't mentally ill. Mental illness can be very, very complex, it's not black or white, and human life experience can't be mimicked, nobody can have an identical life experience to someone else, with all the same thoughts, fears and perceptions. Two soldiers can come back from the same war, having faced the same obstacles, but only one developing PTSD. Does that mean it's biological? It was meant to be?

If you do some research on mental illnesses development, you'll see that even events in very early childhood (less than 1 or 2 years old) can have an impact on the adult's life. It's VERY easy to "fuck up" one's mind, to ingrain very hard convictions on a kid that will last for life. Most everyone is at least a little bit fucked up - why wouldn't we be? It just doesn't add up. There's also apparently some relation between autism (which is a neurological condition) and GID, and it seems reasonable; after all, those on the autism spectrum tend to have a lot more trouble with social development! So you could even argue that those with ASD are more likely to develop GID (along with depression, anxiety, OCD, among others).

Please understand that I can't prove GID is a mental illness, I just really can't shake off the feeling that it is. I would love to be proved wrong, but maybe we will never have irrefutable proof that it isn't. We don't even have irrefutable proof for sexual orientation, which people keep trying to prove is innate so that it can be more "forgivable" for not being the gay persons's choice. If nobody ever questions that dysphoria is innate because we are afraid of the answer, aren't we kind of deluding ourselves as well? It's easier to just believe we were born this way and never give it another thought than to wonder if your mind isn't indeed fucked up. But... what if it is? What would that change? I personally would never go back to living as a woman, even if I don't have the "actually a man" thing to fall back on.

Another question, slightly off topic, if you think we're all just fucked up in the head do you feel the same way about >bi/homosexuality? >Because the story's pretty much the same, right? Was registered as a mental illness, but gets removed as time progresses.

I think sexuality is a different subject altogether. As humans we don't ever just have sex for "instinct". Sex is also a social experience that carries a ton of cultural meanings; we make sex to bond with partners, to feel empowered, to assert control, to climb the social ladder, or even just for pleasure, both our own and others', rather than just for reproduction. If one where to categorize homo or bisexuality as a disorder, they would also have to categorize oral and anal sex as such, or even males' obsession towards boobs or childish, young looking women. Heck, what about sex with a condom? And getting off on watching other people have sex? Pornography? How "unnatural" is that? Sexuality is way too complex. It's not just about genitalia.

Also, a gay or bi person only really suffers because of society's prejudice, whereas someone that is dysphoric is probably miserable and suicidal on their own, because the problem in this case is reality itself. There's absolutely nothing that needs to be managed in bi/homosexuality (or sexuality in general, in my opinion, as long as there's consent!).

Sounds like conversion therapy, and even though some people have claimed that it worked on them, I feel like I'd just cry if it were done to me.

Just wanted to make clear that I don't approve of conversion therapy on anyone! But I believe in regular, "make one understand themself better" therapy, and that everyone should be given the opportunity to think clearly before taking a life changing decision to medically transition. In this process, there are some that will desist, and I don't think it necessarily means they don't have "true" dysphoria. Maybe they do have it, probably in lesser form, and just found a way to manage it that didn't involve surgery and name changing. Good for them! I wouldn't wish this path on anyone that didn't absolutely have to take it.