Shadow Side of Paradigm Shift/When Politically Correct is Not Psychologically Correct

HBIGDA Conference- Bologna April 2005

Lin Fraser EdD

Introduction

Although this talk is about the shadow side of the paradigm shift, my general perspective is that the shift is a very good thing.In fact, my paper last year, on contemporary psychodynamic theory and therapy, held as its’ central organizing principle that trans identity is a healthy variation of human experience.I discussed in some detail how the problems and psychological issues that emerge in trans development are a result of the inhibition of that identity and about how psychodynamic therapy can address these issues.

Shadow Side of Paradigm Shift

Nevertheless, although the paradigm shift is a good thing, indeed, like any paradigm, this one has a shadow side.

In Jungian terms, the shadow is the unconscious aspect of the self (or of a system) that we don’t want to know about because it doesn’t fit our worldview.In terms of the paradigm shift, its’ shadow might prevent our seeing exceptions to the point of view that the trans part of a persona’s psyche is both healthy and authentic and could ossify into a politically correct stance about transgenderism.

In our move to depathologize, then, we may risk or overlook depth considerations in certain individuals who present with trans issues that may point to an inner rather than an outer transition.And it is this subgroup that I want to discuss today:

Clinical Variation

First, as an overview to put this subgroup in context, I’ll give a brief description of the types of people we see in therapy. Then I’ll describe some factors that might alert us to a potential inner rather than an outer transition. And then I’ll provide some case examples to illuminate this discussion.

Many different types of people come to us for therapy presenting a Transgender spectrum. In terms of theory, most of us believe various paths lead to trans identities. Some paths and identities are stable over time and are from earliest memories. Their gender identities are fixed, with their sexual orientation always in a certain direction and this group seems to have a strong biogenetic component. Others have a less stable sexual orientation but have a stable transgender identity from earliest memory. Others are more fluid and have a late onset. They present variation but have a stable trans outcome. Yet-Others are more fluid and have an unstable trans identity, one that is waxing and waning. The person doesn’t know which direction the psyche wants to go when they come to therapy and the outcome is unknown. Usually, the psyche pushes toward a trans direction, but not always.

Inner Rather than Outer Transition

So.. how do we know which direction is the healthy one? We don’t, but what emerges in the course of therapy, in my experience, for those with an inner rather than outer direction, is a situation where an interplay of the following occurs:

We can trace a narrative where we can see the development of the trans identity via a psychological rather than seemingly stable bio etiology. In other words, the trans aspect develops over time and its defensive functioning can be traced. It hasn’t always been there. This defensive function may be the seemingly only solution to an untenable family system or the trans identity serves as an escape. In bigendered males, the trans aspect has a strong sexual component. In female-bodied persons, a history of cutting or eating disorders is often present. Trauma or other extreme abuse may be uncovered over time, especially in cases where the trans identity is part of a dissociative identity.

Trans Aspect as Split-off Part or Defensive

Hence, what emerges psychodynamically, is that the trans part of the psyche is a split-off part or a fragment of the personality. It may be compartmentalized and create internal conflict, it may occur on a spectrum of dissociation, including MPD, or serve a defensive function or be a solution to an untenable situation.

I want to point out that ALL of these narratives may also have a TRANS outcome as well, my point is that in these situations, one can’t PREDICT, whether the transition will be an inner or an outer one.

Importance of Unconscious

Within this group, what does seem to differentiate one group from the other is the unconscious material, particularly dreams, poems, and art as well as events in the outer world that strengthen the nontrans part of the psyche. In my experience, the unconscious is the prime differentiator.

Case Material

What I’ll do now is show some case material that demonstrates a trans identity that serves a defensive function.

I’m going to briefly present 2 male-bodied people, currently living in the male gender-role. These are examples where the trans aspect is defensive. Both are in long-term therapy with me and are complex cases with rich clinical material. I’ll go in some detail with the 1st one, then give brief material on the second. This discussion will be very short due to time constraints, but will hopefully give you the flavor of some clinical material, particularly from the unconscious (UC).

“M”

Who is he- midlife, professional, married w/ 3 kids.

Presenting problem

Risked Everything by having sex with TG prostitute. History of crossdressing, fantasy of being a woman during sex, only way he could let go sexually was with this fantasy, wondered if he was TS, but mainly felt safe and calm crossdressed and with a woman with a penis. No memories of abuse, but never could live up to Dad’s idea of maleness. Strong Catholic upbringing.

Dreams and Unconscious Material

Initial dream- theme was a male in prison, trying to get free by using his computer, writing, drawing and communicating. Drawing of self as baby- a screaming baby impaled by many swords, bleeding pink blood which he associated with his feminine side- Both parents holding swords, smiling saying “Look honey, He’s turning into a little man”

Early significant dream we’ve labeled Battered woman dream- Jogging on dark path, dreamer encounters huddled up barely alive body of battered woman rolling down a hill that lands at his feet, he wants to help her but is helpless to do so. Another male figure emerges who puts her in a trunk of a car, presumably to take her to a hospital.

Other important dream images- angry women, dangerous men, drunken blobby men

Images that make him tingle- seeing a little boys shirt out of corner of his eye hanging in closet, hearing “good little boy”, thinking about men’s anger, floating, disembodied penises.

Later recent dream- Walking on a dark path with his female partner, sense of overwhelming male danger, possibly a gang lurking nearby. In the course of the dream, he realizes he has agency, he can shed light on the path, and with just enough light to clearly see the way, he realizes they are in no danger. He also realizes he can protect the woman he’s with.

This is an example of a person, then, who in the course of therapy has had an Inner rather than OUTER transition. The trans fantasies have mostly disappeared unless he is under extreme stress.

Function of Trans Aspect

The function of the trans aspect in his psyche has been primarily protection from dangerous men, protection from overwhelming and potentially dangerous male energy inside himself. As submissive crossdressed female, he could diffuse the danger and let go without fear. The therapy suggests early sexual abuse but so far he has no memory of it.

“D”

Who he is - presenting problem.

Came to see me after crossliving for several years, no surgery, felt inauthentic, didn’t feel completely comfortable as a woman. In the course of therapy, returns to male gender role. His male gender identity has remained stable for many years.

Dreams and Unconscious Material

These are dreams “she” had while still in female gender that proved to be turning points in return to male gender.

Helper dream- Dreams s/he is a parent (genderless) with a boy child following him/her around and seeking his/her company. Boy hurts himself and dreamer administers first aid. Boy is crying and crying-he has a torn toenail that is almost off- dreamer comforts him and warns him that it will hurt initially, and tears off the toenail, cleans the wound which then quickly starts to get better. Dreamer reassures him and wakes up.

Waking dream- In midst of screaming, pain and agony, a vision of light and clarity emerged. This image, which later painted and gave to me, was a rather masculine figure, looking like a multicolored bent priapus, against a black background. S/he saw it as representing her masculine self emerging from the darkness.

Importance of Dream Figures in an Inner Transition

What the two cases have in common is that the dream figures are not trans, the dream figures are trying to help either wounded or young figures, in M’s case, the wounded feminine, in D’s case, the injured little boy. And the progression of the dreams moves in the direction of a stronger masculine, one by strengthening the empathic, relational battered female side within himself in the course of therapy, and the other by discovering and helping his internal wounded little boy. They both discover maleness rather than transitioning.

Other very brief examples of the subgroup of inner rather than outer transitions include:

MPD and Dissociative Identity Disorder

I’ve worked with three multiples in my practice, all with a history of severe sexual trauma, two with a trans outcome where a democratic decision was made to say goodbye to the male parts that were no longer needed and one (the nontrans outcome) where the fragmented female part “Diabolette” little Devil-settled down once she was given more consciousness.

Solution or Escape Due to Family Dynamics

Sometimes, the only way out of a difficult family situation is to escape by becoming somebody else. These cases need to be carefully monitored, for in my experience, they can go in either direction or remain fluid. Assessment of unconscious material is especially important because the conscious and unconscious may be at odds.

For example, one rather feminine gay male came to see me 100% sure he was trans, and wanted help with his transition which would include surgery He felt beholden to his older male partner who had been supporting him and felt in the relationship. Once he was able to separate and move out, his need to be female also disappeared.

Another female-bodied person came from a family where, along with other contributing dynamics, the preferred way to be female was to be very thin, almost androgynous, among other characteristics that didn’t fit this very female-figured person. When engaged and pregnant by a heterosexual man, the need to transition subsided but returned afterthe birth of the child. This is an example of the type of case that needs to be monitored carefully for potential fluidity or potential partial or inner transition.

Another gentle-spirited, male bodied person who had been adopted by an emotionless, billionaire business father and later lived with a sexually abusive stepfather felt that the only way he could have his own identity would be to be either like Jesus or some other highly evolved spiritual being or, alternatively, become a woman. As his own male identity as an artist has evolved, he no longer needs to be either.

Conclusion / One Size Doesn’t Fit All

The above cases are a minority in my practice, but given the nature and explosion of transgender variation, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were to see even more diversity as time goes on. And, as members of HBIGDA, we will be in the forefront of seeing people who present varying degrees of transgender experience.

This diversity behooves us to be reminded of the clinical stance we have learned over the years: A respect for nuance, complexity, and a distrust of categorization.One size doesn’t fit all.

People come to us because we are open to transgender identity as a legitimate self. In our recognition of complexity, we need to remain open to the possibility of an inner rather than an outer transition and not let the shadow of political correctness veil the truth of the individuality within our population.

Filed under: Psychotherapy on April 7th, 2007