What is Transvestism and How to Cope with It

Ever felt that ecstatic joy of choosing the outfit that matches how you feel inside, even if the world thinks the opposite? That’s what transvestism can feel like. To make it easier, transvestism is the practice of wearing clothes traditionally associated with a different gender. For many, transvestism is simply about personal comfort, self-expression and exploring aspects of identity, while for others, it may provide excitement or psychological relief. To those unfamiliar with what it stands for and how to differentiate, it’s vital to recognise that cross-dressing alone does not mean a person wishes to change their gender, nor does it always relate to sexuality or mental health issues.

Imagine putting on headphones and playing your favourite song. Nobody can hear it but you, but suddenly your walk has a rhythm, you hear a beat, and your world’s a little more joyous. This happiness is what many feel when wearing clothes outside the expectations of their gender assigned at birth. Like any type of personal expression, be it painting, dancing, or singing-it is about aligning the inside and outside, even if just for a moment.

It’s a journey that can start with confusion or secrecy, especially growing up in families or societies where strict gender rules rule the day. One can describe the pressure to be “normal” as carrying an invisible backpack full of rocks, each rock added by every expectation of “boys don’t wear that” or “that’s not for girls.”

The signs and symptoms of transvestic disorder include-

Persistent or recurrent cross-dressing in clothing of the opposite sex that can be associated with sexual arousal (fetishistic transvestism) or without sexual arousal for purposes such as anxiety relief (dual role transvestism).
The behaviour may start in childhood, adolescence, or later, and can coexist with other paraphilias or psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Distress or impairment related to the cross-dressing behaviour, including social difficulties or problems in occupational or academic functioning.
Compulsive or repetitive nature of cross-dressing or related behaviours (e.g., stealing clothing).
In cases associated with paraphilia, masturbation or sexual gratification may be linked to cross-dressing.
Feelings of guilt, shame, or distress about the behaviour.
The behaviour is often secretive and may lead to conflicts with family or others due to inappropriate or socially unacceptable actions.
Possible co-existing mental health issues like anxiety, fearfulness, or impulse control problems.
Some individuals show poor impulse control linked to lower intelligence or cognitive impairments.

Causes of Transvestism

Biologically, there’s no specific hormone that flips a switch for transvestism. It’s not a simple matter of “being born this way” or “choosing” it later. Some start young, fascinated by the forbidden, while others discover this side of themselves decades later. Some possible causes and motivations include:

Personal comfort and self-expression: Wearing clothes that feel congruent with one’s internal sense of self or mood.
Exploration of identity: A way to explore gender roles and aspects of oneself within or outside societal norms.
Psychological relief or excitement: Some experience transvestism as a means of psychological comfort or sexual arousal, though this is not universal.
Cultural and social influences: Historical and cultural contexts can shape how and why people cross-dress.

Treatments and Support for Transvestism-

Treatment aims to address distress and improve quality of life rather than stop cross-dressing itself:

Person-centred therapy: Supports individuals in exploring and affirming their gender expression without judgment.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and challenge negative or shame-based thoughts, reducing distress. Adaptive cognition involves reshaping the way you think about gender and self-expression. For example, let go of rigid, binary thinking about what it means to be a “man” or a “woman” and instead see your clothing or style as a valid, personal choice, which reduces negative feelings and helps people feel less boxed in by stereotypes.
Mindfulness and self-compassion exercises: Reinforce positive coping strategies and resilience.
Journaling and narrative therapy: Assist in understanding and expressing one’s identity and feelings.
Social support: Connecting with accepting families, friends, or communities reduces stigma and social isolation.
Education for family and loved ones: Helps them understand and support the individual’s identity and expression.

Conclusion

Coping with transvestism begins with understanding that cross-dressing is a valid and meaningful form of self-expression for many individuals. It is not inherently a sign of confusion, pathology, or a desire to change one’s gender. Instead, it can be a deeply personal way to explore comfort, creativity, identity, and emotional balance.

The journey becomes easier when one learns to separate personal truth from societal expectations. Acceptance means allowing yourself to feel at home in your own presentation whether it aligns with the norms around you or not. While stigma and misunderstanding still exist, there is also a growing community of people who share similar experiences and offer safety, solidarity, and affirmation.

If this is your story, or a loved one’s, remember that you are not alone. Seek supportive spaces, move at your own pace, and remind yourself that authenticity is a strength, not a flaw.

The Psychowellness Center, located in Dwarka Sector-17 and Janakpuri, New Delhi (011-47039812 / 7827208707), offers specialised mental-health services where trained professionals including some of the best psychologists near me use evidence-based approaches such as CBT, REBT, Behavioural Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy to help individuals explore identity concerns, navigate stigma, and build emotional resilience. Additionally, TalktoAngel provides accessible virtual counselling and strength-based online therapy, ensuring that individuals and families receive holistic, confidential, and affirming support throughout their coping journey.

Contribution: Dr. R.K. Suri, Clinical Psychologist, and Ms. Arushi Srivastava, Counselling Psychologist

References

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4782454/

https://www.betterhelp.com/mental-health/disorders-conditions/transvestic-disorder/

https://psychcentral.com/disorders/transvestic-fetishism-symptoms

https://firstlightpsych.com/transvestic-disorder/

https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/Blog/transvestic-disorder-causes-symptoms/

https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/Blog/cross-dressing-or-transvestic-disorder-counselling/

https://www.talktoangel.com/blog/benefits-of-counselling-and-therapy-for-transvestic-disorder

https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/Blog/gender-dysphoria-signs-symptoms-and-causes/

https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/Blog/how-to-accept-your-lgbtq-child/

https://www.psychowellnesscenter.com/blog/page/117/