Understanding yourself

What is said, and what is underneath.

Studies of the sentences people offer long before they can name what is happening. Starting points for reading, never a diagnosis.

8 studies in Identity and sexuality · Show every study

N° 01

Sexual dysfunction

“We don’t talk about that part.”

Sexual problems are common, often have medical causes, and are treated in confidence.

N° 02

“I’ve felt this way since I was small.”

Gender incongruence is not a mental disorder, WHO says. The distress, family conflict and isolation that often come with it deserve care.

N° 03

“We’ve been married eight months. We still can’t.”

An involuntary tightening that makes intercourse painful or impossible. Common, rarely discussed, and treatable.

N° 04

“It happened once. Now I worry every time.”

Common, treatable, and sometimes an early warning of heart disease. Worth a confidential conversation.

N° 05

“The new kameez looked perfect. I looked wrong in it.”

Hours lost to a flaw others cannot see. Cosmetic procedures rarely help; specific therapy does.

N° 06

“Every night I promise it’s the last time.”

When sexual urges or pornography feel out of control and cause distress, it is a recognised condition. Confidential treatment can help.

N° 07

“I always felt there was a rule everyone else knew.”

Some autistic people are not diagnosed until adulthood, after years of feeling out of step. A diagnosis can bring understanding and better support.

N° 08

“I came home from London. Now I belong nowhere.”

Coming home after years abroad can be harder than leaving. Feeling out of place is common; when it turns into lasting low mood, help is there.