Yes and no. It’s incredibly useful for certain subsets of people. For others, it seems to be an added cost for little to no utility. In many cases, the effect is not too significantly different from placebo.

I have taken various types of psych meds, and I was actually disappointed that I didn’t feel dramatic reactions like some people claimed. With antidepressants in particular, a lot of people talk about feeling “emotionally blunted” on them. As someone who was suffering with emotional intensity, it was a side effect that I actually desired and was disappointed when I didn’t get it. I never felt controlled or altered in much of any way outside of some initial fatigue.

So I think a lot of the negative effects of these meds might also have some basis in placebo. The meds are not all bad.

After a while of trying different meds over a year, I’ve “settled” on one particular med and been very stable since. Is the med helping? I still have no idea. But it isn’t doing anything negative that I can tell and you cannot deny the objective reality of my improvement. My improvement is no doubt multifactorial, but if it’s doing good for me, then why not just continue? I still feel like me. I am just happy and functioning.

If you want my two cents…forget the labels for “man” or “woman” or whatever you’re thinking about. Just express yourself in ways that you like. Want to wear a dress one day with an elaborate long hairdo? Do it. Want to wear a suit the next day and buzz your hair short? Fucking do it. We are all just random living beings making shit up as we go.

I guess that’s why I never understood the concept of being “trans” or “cis”. Just be. Exist. Express yourself. Don’t get caught up in these labels. There are no rules.

Imo, those labels are important for healthcare because it tells them what parts we have and what diseases we may or may not have. Beyond that, who cares?

Not a helpful answer, but I started taking a psych medication and I guess some people use it off label as a sleep aid. Soooo suffice to say I definitely sleep like a rock nowadays lol. Trouble is that I have to actually be disciplined enough to get into bed first!

BUT what has always helped me actually fall asleep is to actually use my phone in bed. I know people say not to, but it helps me fall asleep every night. What I do is put on a lengthy YouTube video that is not too interesting and not too boring. I fall asleep to them.