How to Quit Crossdressing

Last Updated: March 13, 2023

If crossdressing has become a problem that is interfering with your daily activities, you should consider quitting. It's important to remember that crossdressing isn't harmful in and of itself; you only need to stop if you're becoming obsessed to the detriment of other aspects of your life. Consider why you crossdress as well, as it may be a good outlet for an unidentified problem that you need to address rather than worrying about liking to dress in unconventional ways.

Steps

1
Think about why you want to quit. There could be a few reasons for wanting to quit crossdressing. Perhaps you believe it is harmful to your life and want to put an end to it. Maybe it's causing problems in your marriage, and you'd like to put an end to it. Perhaps you are simply afraid of being caught crossdressing. Whatever the reason, it's good to know your motive for quitting crossdressing.
2
Find support. It can be difficult to break any habit. Seek help from family, friends, and online communities.^{[1]
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- Your parents may talk to you about gender norms in society and how people demonstrate them through clothing choices.
- They may tell you that fashion is a great vehicle for self-expression.
- Therefore, you can explore and enjoy clothing choices as long as it is a safe environment.
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3
Understand that you might do it again. "Once a crossdresser, always a crossdresser," some say. This is sometimes true. You can try to stop, but the desire to dress usually overcomes you, and you may do it again in the future.
- If this occurs to you, you can also crossdress less and less on a daily basis. This is a long and winding road. However, if you prefer, you can go the traditional "cold-turkey" route.
4
Look for alternatives to cross-dressing. You may discover other outlets for your creativity, such as painting, writing, or baking. Others may enjoy playing an instrument, going for a walk, working out, or other activities. Finding another hobby to do will help to divert your attention away from crossdressing and provide you with something to do.
5
Hide or donate the clothes you used to wear when you cross-dressed. You will be less likely to crossdress if you hide your clothes (out of sight out of mind). Put your clothing in a garbage bag and store it somewhere out of the way. You could also donate your clothes to be worn by others.
6
Consider whether or not you might be trans. Many transgender and nonbinary people sometimes "crossdress" and later realize they are trans. This is often common with elderly folks that crossdress but are actually transgender. If you feel like this might be you, check out this article. If you need help, talk to a gender counselor to work through your feelings and know who you truly are.
7
See a therapist. If you believe you are dealing with problems or stress that you cannot solve on your own, look for someone who can assist you. Make sure to find a therapist who is explicitly LGBTQ-friendly--don't waste your time with anyone who blames or shames you for being different or LGBTQ.^{[2]
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- If you ever feel so stressed out that you want to hurt yourself because you stopped, seek help.