Attendees at the 149th Annual, Lehigh vs. LaFayette game, Bethlehem, PA 2013

go deeper into communities exhibiting behavioral addictions

Transsexual Reveler at the 2005 edition of the Toronto Gay Pride Parade

Anticonvulsant Therapy Protocol to Treat Automorphophilic Addiction

G Eugene Pichler, the author of the book, The Transsexual Delusion—The Men and Women Who Transgress Gender Norms, recommends self-identifying transsexuals with an affected automorphophilic addiction take the anticonvulsant medication, Vigabatrin, for approximately ninety days to alleviate symptoms.

The exact dosage level will vary from person to person. The 90-day treatment period matches the 90-day rehabilitation model that is used by Alcoholics Anonymous and is the length of most stints in drug-treatment programs. [1]

The case study profiled in chapter eleven of the book, The Transsexual Delusion—The Men and Women Who Transgress Gender Norms, who underwent anticonvulsant therapy for an ancillary mental disorder and watched his interests in transsexualism evaporate, took Epival (Divalproex Sodium) 1,500 mg./day, for approximately four months. Divalproic acid is an anticonvulsant medicaton, similar to Vigabatrin, primarily used in the treatment of epilepsy and other seizure disorders. Vigabatrin was not available in North America at the time the subject of the case study took the medication. The case study filled out a prescription for the medication on February 08, 2000 and a second time on March 20, 2000. [2] [3]

Further, in his study of 43 Cases Jan Wålinder [Sweden] reports on a case study of a 29-year-old transsexual patient who after the taking anticonvulsant medication for only 21 days, watched his proclivities towards a gender transition evaporate, only to return after the medication was stopped. [4] (See Case Study #15)

Consult a medical practitioner for the correct dosage level for you.

Self-identifying transitioners on Vigabatrin will exhibit a dramatic change in their interest level towards a gender transition after just 21 days on the medication. However, if the medication is stopped too soon, an individuals' proclivities towards a gender transition may re-emerge. Therefore, Pichler recommends that individuals exhibiting automorphophilic addiction should stay on Vigabatrin or another anticonvulsant for the full 90-day duration. After the 90-day period the symptoms of the behavioral addiction should be completely alleviated and the affected individual can be taken off the medication.

On the event the symptoms return, repeat the treatment as needed.

Precautions:

  • Inform your doctor if you are a person with liver, kidney or blood disease or dysfunction.
  • Because of small risk of liver failure, patients and parents should report symptoms of weakness, lethargy, facial swelling, anorexia, jaundice, vomiting, and loss of seizure control.
  • Evidence of hemorrhaging or bruising or a blood clotting problem warrants immediate investigation.
  • Elderly persons should use caution.
  • Refrain from activities requiring mental alertness or physical coordination (e.g. operating hazardous machines, driving) until you are sure that the anticonvulsant medication does not affect your abilities.

Possible side effects:

Depending on the individual, side effects may occur at varying degrees or not at all, including:

  • Vision changes
  • Tremors
  • Shortness of breath
  • Accelerated heart rate
  • Problems focusing
  • Mood instability
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Irritable mood
  • Dizziness
  • Memory issues
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Joint pain and discomfort
  • Weight gain

Allergic Reactions:

  • Skin rash (if you notice a rash, seek immediate medical help).

references

[1] Divalproex Sodium Therapy for Automorphophilic Addiction (e.g., transsexualism)

[2] Prescription for Divalproex Sodium, dated February 08, 2000

[3] Prescription for Divalproex Sodium, dated March 20, 2000

[4] Jan Wålinder's research paper, Transsexualism, A Study of Forty-Three Cases, Review