When dysphoria hits, most people immediately ask why.
“Why am I feeling this way?”
“Why now?”
“Why can’t I just be normal?”
In Marine training, we’re taught something very different.
When pressure spikes, why is the wrong question.
Why leads to spirals.
Why fuels panic.
Instead, we’re trained to ask:
What’s happening in my body right now?
Because fear and dysphoria don’t start in the mind —
they start in the nervous system.
Your body senses perceived danger long before your thoughts catch up. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It means your system is trying to protect you using old wiring.
The goal is not to argue with dysphoria.
The goal is to regulate first, interpret later.
That’s how Marines stay functional under stress.
That’s how you stay grounded in femininity without overwhelm.
You don’t need answers right now.
You need steadiness.
💪Your Mission Today:
When dysphoria/anxiety/stress appears, pause and place one hand on your chest and one on your abdomen.
Take 5 slow breaths.
Do nothing else for 60 seconds.
No analysis. No fixing. Just regulation.
This is training — not avoidance.
And remember: if you ever need reassurance or guidance while learning this, Gwen is available.
She’s got your six.
Dysphoria Hacks is now live.
Dr. Gwen Patrone
If you’re ready to stop hiding and start living, you can learn more about the program here: dysphoriahacks.com.
