i'm glad you're keeping your first name. When i divorced my adoptive parents, i changed my first and middle names (my last name is/was my married name and not linked to them). i'm not sure i regret it but it seems to have caused a further separation in self. i have a dissociative disorder and feel very separate from the person i was before i changed my name in 93. It's not like one day i was her and the next me...it just seems to have complicated things a bit more...especially when it comes to thinking about myself or talking about myself as a child. i wasn't Kristyn then, i was Debi. How do i connect to Debi when i'm Kristyn? It's probably more ddnos than name change but just thought i'd let you know for your informed consideration.

Anyway, i understand the step you're taking. It's very powerful and if it feels right for you then YAY! i needed to do it as well and am glad for it but, like i said, it can be complicated internally.