Mental health problems and the future for a FTM?

[Joe.]

I haven't actually found any laws linking to transgender in the UK. I tried searching for some on Google but I didn't understand any of the results so I gave up. I remember you saying about your CAMHS worker before, that really sucks man. You can request to see someone else if he really makes you that unhappy, or you can go back to your GP and they can go down a different route rather than CAMHS. CAMHS isn't right for everyone. Don't be afraid to go back to your GP. They can't make you go back to him if you don't want to. It's your choice.
I suffer from anxiety because of other problems (I was mugged when I just turnt 13) and that was also the cause of my anger problems. There are a whole lot of other issues that caused my depression too but that's a long story.
My CAMHS worker said about a gender clinic in London or something. Hopefully a referral will be soon
Joey

[Natkat]

I haven't actually found any laws linking to transgender in the UK. I tried searching for some on Google but I didn't understand any of the results so I gave up. I remember you saying about your CAMHS worker before, that really sucks man. You can request to see someone else if he really makes you that unhappy, or you can go back to your GP and they can go down a different route rather than CAMHS. CAMHS isn't right for everyone. Don't be afraid to go back to your GP. They can't make you go back to him if you don't want to. It's your choice.
I suffer from anxiety because of other problems (I was mugged when I just turnt 13) and that was also the cause of my anger problems. There are a whole lot of other issues that caused my depression too but that's a long story.
My CAMHS worker said about a gender clinic in London or something. Hopefully a referral will be soon.
Joey

Laws can be complicated, and google seams pretty confussing. the only law I know is by the general trans europa thing who mention abit for every country but its not that clear again.
maybe theres some kind of suport group/people who deal with trans folks, who could help to find someone to answer your questions.

[AdamMLP]

He refused to let me see anyone else from his team at CAHMS and my GP said that it would be almost impossible to get the funding to see someone from CAMHS outside of the area.  He did find someone who would agree to see me who normally deals with adults struggling with rape/addictions but I got lost in the system before they could arrange the big meeting with nine people in just to talk about whether changing to her would be the right option for me.  I'm really worried that I'm going to get landed back with him, or that they're going to think I'm not being serious about this because I'd rather not see anyone than see him, but whatever, I need to do something, just going to wait until after Christmas so my grandparents don't realise that something's up if me and my parents stop talking as we usually do when I try and talk to them something with emotions attached.

Sorry, I'm taking over your thread with my rants.  Back on topic:

I asked a guy I know is on T and in the UK on tumblr about this, and this is what I got from him:

The question I asked: "Someone brought up the topic of whether or not having a history of depression/SI would cause a problem with getting on T in the UK. I don't know many other people who have been through the NHS and just wondered if you knew anything that might be able to help at all."

His reply: "It depends on how severe/and/or if you still suffer from depression etc. Generally I found they were really good, if they think you're at a risk then you could be delayed, they just want to make sure that your mental health is okay and you're stable enough to handle big changes that come with testosterone. But with me it didn't hold me back/hinder the time it took to start T/continue transitioning etc"

So although it's not gospel fact that's someone who's been through it's views.  I'm pretty sure that they were with CAMHS when they were referred to a GIC.  It's calmed my nerves somewhat at least.

[peky]

That's not entirely true, I am Bi Polar and my doctor and psychologist/therapist are trying to help me and show that my gid is serious and not a by product of being bi polar, she is trying to find the patterns for me and help me out. It is important to find one that wants to treat the whole person.

I disagree with this ^^^ The effects of testosterone on the mind (e.g. aggression) are quiet different than those of estrogen.

In any case, any mental health condition is a cause for a pause, consideration and reservations. Now, it all depends on the specifics of the case, and in how well is the mental issue managed and/or controlled.

[Joe.]

Nah man, don't worry about taking other the thread, I don't think you are at all. Yeah waiting after Christmas is a good idea; that was my initial plan but I couldn't wait that long in the end. It's worth going back to your GP, if you don't then you'll always be wondering what could have happened, whereas if you do, at least you'll have the answers. There's got to be more people in the team than him, and if you don't get along with him, it's your human rights to ask to see someone else (I do health and social care so I learn about all these rights, if you want any more info about your rights etc I'm happy to find out for you).

That is useful thank you. I still suffer from depression and am only just getting the help I need after about 5 years. I think I'm stable enough to handle the changes, but of course this is something I have to discuss with the CAMHS people. It's made me less worried too. Cheers, I appreciate you asking him.
Joey

[Joe.]

I disagree with this ^^^ The effects of testosterone on the mind (e.g. aggression) are quiet different than those of estrogen.

In any case, any mental health condition is a cause for a pause, consideration and reservations. Now, it all depends on the specifics of the case, and in how well is the mental issue managed and/or controlled.

If I have anger problems anyway, will T make me more aggressive?
Joey

[peky]

If I have anger problems anyway, will T make me more aggressive?
Joey

Taking testosterone will enhance and augment any aggressiveness you may have.

[Joe.]

Ah. Great. I'll discuss this with a professional when the time comes then. Cheers.
Joey

[AdamMLP]

Taking testosterone will enhance and augment any aggressiveness you may have.

I didn't think that this was necessarily the case, a lot of the threads on here on the topic have been saying that their anger and emotions changed but that they weren't necessarily more angry.  Or if they got more angry they calmed down again once their hormones had leveled out again, a bit like PMS I guess.  There are plenty of topics on here if you just search 'anger' in the search box, but you should definitely talk to someone if you've already got problems with anger.  Too much anger is never a good thing, especially if you like taking it out on windows like I did, because they're expensive...

[Joe.]

My CAMHS worker knows about my anger problems, but I don't really know how to make them stop. I just flip out and everything goes black and I can't remember anything I've said or done during that time until I calm down. Lots of people know I have aggression but nobody likes to talk about it, hoping that it will just go away. I like taking it out on walls rather than windows. Hope you're ok though.
Joey

[AdamMLP]

My CAMHS worker knows about my anger problems, but I don't really know how to make them stop. I just flip out and everything goes black and I can't remember anything I've said or done during that time until I calm down. Lots of people know I have aggression but nobody likes to talk about it, hoping that it will just go away. I like taking it out on walls rather than windows. Hope you're ok though.
Joey

You should be careful punching things that hard, I can't psyche myself up to punch anything hard after I broke my hand punching the ground as a kid.  I'll be throwing the punch and just pull out of it at the last second.  It also messed up my hand because I already had something wrong with the tendons that run along the bone I broke and I had to have an operation and can still feel it sometimes 3 years on.  I made a punch bag earlier this month and that helps a lot!  It's better than punching out 13 of the schools windows and landing yourself a £350 bill anyway, just be careful.

I have no memory of pretty much anything, not sure whether it's from the mess that was my life that I'm still trying to get back together, or whether I've got some sort of memory problem.  If you ever want to talk to anyone I can try and relate, it seems like we're going through similar things and are going to be trying to transition in the UK around the same time too.

[ozoozol]

If I have anger problems anyway, will T make me more aggressive?
Joey

Not necessarily.  It varies significantly from person to person, as all things do, but it's good to remember that plenty of guys experience a reduction in anger issues once they start testosterone, and that "'roid rage" is a product of levels of testosterone that exceed the normal male range.

[aleon515]

I know quite a number of guys who say that T makes them MUCH calmer.

--Jay

[Shawn Sunshine]

I disagree with this ^^^ The effects of testosterone on the mind (e.g. aggression) are quiet different than those of estrogen.

In any case, any mental health condition is a cause for a pause, consideration and reservations. Now, it all depends on the specifics of the case, and in how well is the mental issue managed and/or controlled.

This has nothing to do with estrogen or testosterone. The srs surgeons will see the red flag of your mental disorder unless your doctor can show that your gid is not a by product of being schizophrenic or bi polar. I already know this because my doctor said so.

[Joe.]

Thanks again for the replies guys. I suppose it could go either way then. I'll talk to the doctor about this after Christmas.
Joey