Standards of Care

[Renae.Lupini]

You can find an updated copy of he SOC on the Wiki

[seldom]

I've always liked TS Eliot's poem about cats, so true I read the SoC a number of years ago, I think it was in 1993 or 1994. Although there were various things I disagreed with at that time, I basically played by the rules regarding therapy, RLT, etc. I'm assuming that was the older version, I'd like to read the new updates. I'm very much in favor of seeing the DSM-IV changed.

zythyra

The SoC went through two revisions since 1994.  Version 5 and Version 6.  Version 6 is the current version.  It is a very good revision. 

[Shana A]

Thanks, I just looked it up. I guess the version I read was during the dinosaur age  Well, it's definitely a lot better than it was in 1993. I still don't agree with everything, but that doesn't surprise me. I have underlying issues with who I am as a gender diverse human being reduced to an illness. In another society, my dual nature might be considered an aspect of spiritual enlightenment as opposed to a medical condition. That said, if I were to desire hormones or surgery, I'm willing to go through established procedures to achieve my goals.

After posting the above, I went back and re-read the entire SoC. On second reading, I think that the SoC have evolved considerably from 1993, and show much more flexibility. I think my bigger issue at this time is with the DSM-IV classification as a mental illness.

zythyra

[seldom]

I have issue with the "disorder" or mental illness classification as well.  From what I have been reading it will be reclassified to a "distress" or "stress".  You can blame Blanchard on the mental illness classification, its a good thing he has been entirely discredited.  Now I wish Lawarence will get the same boot.  Blanchards crackpot theories and methodologies have done more harm then good, and I wish more TS knew what the issues were with him. 

[Berliegh]

Don't agree with HBSOC.

I think the system should only be making sure that persons requesting the hormones, ops etc are sure (maybe a waiting period of a month), know the medical consequences and not too obviously lunatic. Other than that, I don't think there should be requirements for obtaining care.

In the U.K NHS GIC Psychiatrists don't comply with the 'Harry Benjamin Standards Of Care' and have tried to scrap it. They made me wait over two years and still wouldn't refer me for hormones so in the end I saw a private cinsultant who started me on them emmediately. The standards of care are there for a reason but too many psychiatrists abiuse them.

[Christo]

I know I aint crazy. but I'm on T now 'cos of the standards.  I cant get T w/o the standards right?.    dont matter if I like or dont like the standars.  I'm whre I wanna be now 'cos of the standards.

[rhonda13000]

#3.

What is the SOC - ? 

[taru]

I think one issue is bad doctors using the SOC and similar documents to slow down people.

Currently I am living FT, with HRT and name change and the local system does not consider my RLT to have begun. Bureocracy and standards...

[tinkerbell]

I think one issue is bad doctors using the SOC and similar documents to slow down people.

Currently I am living FT, with HRT and name change and the local system does not consider my RLT to have begun. Bureocracy and standards...

Well, that's wrong.  I wonder if it has to do with your therapist and his/her own philosophy of what it means to be fulltime?


tink

[Berliegh]

#3.

What is the SOC - ? 

'The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care' here's the link: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~colem001/hbigda/hstndrd.htm

[rhonda13000]

#3.

What is the SOC - ? 

'The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care' here's the link: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~colem001/hbigda/hstndrd.htm

That was a cynical, rhetorical query, hon.

[Berliegh]

#3.

What is the SOC - ? 

'The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care' here's the link: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~colem001/hbigda/hstndrd.htm

That was a cynical, rhetorical query, hon.

In what way was it cynical, all I was doing was trying to help you and provide the information you requested......it certainly wasn't meant that way hon..

[rhonda13000]

#3.

What is the SOC - ? 

'The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care' here's the link: http://www.tc.umn.edu/~colem001/hbigda/hstndrd.htm

That was a cynical, rhetorical query, hon.

In what way was it cynical, all I was doing was trying to help you and provide the information you requested......it certainly wasn't meant that way hon..

Not yours, hon.

MY original.

I don't think much of the SOC, relative to my situation and transition.

But you will never hear me universally condemn SOC. It has merit.

[louise000]

I know what I am, who I am and what I want to be. I find it so daunting that the SOC mean that I have to jump through so many hoops and get someone else's approval and permission to be a woman. Especially as the sands of time are running out for me.

[Nero]

I loathe having to pay $150 per hour for God knows how long to a rude insulting therapist (no one else in my area) waiting for her to decide when I have conformed enough to her standards of what an ftm should be.

That said - there are confused and possibly mentally ill people who wish to change genders for reasons other than actual gender dysphoria. When a person with multiple personality disorder emerges from the SRS table in their male persona wondering what their female persona has done to them - it isn't pretty.

So, I understand the very real need for the safeguards.

[Wendy]

I think it is better to have a SOC than not have a SOC.  I copied the link given to a young person on a different thread and read the document in June 2007.  I am glad this forum exists.

[Suzy]

I think the SOC has some limitations.  However, I also think everyone here should read it because it is very informative.

In my own profession I have as SOC that I must follow.  All of those things are true "CYA" documents.  We are informed that we must follow these standards to keep from being sued.  Actually, nothing will keep us from being sued, but if we have followed our SOC we should be just fine in court.

That appears to be what this SOC is primarily about.  It is an unfortunate reality nowadays that the threat of legal action drives so much of medicine.  The guidelines, though, were put in place for specific reasons, and hopefully, many have gotten better care because of them.  I am also aware of those who have not gotten the care they have needed because of them.  Still others just dismiss them entirely and do their own thing,  either self-medicating, or finding doctors who will do whatever they wish as long as the bill is paid.  The latter are the unfortunate casualties of this process.

Kristi

[rhonda13000]

I think the SOC has some limitations.  However, I also think everyone here should read it because it is very informative.

In my own profession I have as SOC that I must follow.  All of those things are true "CYA" documents.  We are informed that we must follow these standards to keep from being sued.  Actually, nothing will keep us from being sued, but if we have followed our SOC we should be just fine in court.

That appears to be what this SOC is primarily about.  It is an unfortunate reality nowadays that the threat of legal action drives so much of medicine.  The guidelines, though, were put in place for specific reasons, and hopefully, many have gotten better care because of them.  I am also aware of those who have not gotten the care they have needed because of them.  Still others just dismiss them entirely and do their own thing,  either self-medicating, or finding doctors who will do whatever they wish as long as the bill is paid.  The latter are the unfortunate casualties of this process.

Kristi

I am speaking SOLELY in reference to me.....................

40+ years of hideous agony and pain, 51 hard years of life experience and a gifted mind essentially gives me the RIGHT to dictate the sequencing and process elements of my own transition.

I will not pay $150/hour for useless counseling, given the aforementioned context and absolute certainty of my TS.

Some of these so-called 'specialists' and doctors do not know what in hell that they are doing in properly handling a TS case.

EVERYONE in the professions whom I have dealt with had no clue about TS and how to manage a course of treatment of the same. I have had to educate EVERYBODY about this subject.

I have had to manage my own transition HRT-wise and even to the point of self-execution of several gender related surgical procedures.

I had NO choice, if I wanted to LIVE. 

I'm 51 years old; I HAVE SUFFERED ENOUGH AND IMPOSED DELAYS ARE WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE AND SOLEMNLY REJECTED.

"SOC" - I scoff at the concept, insofar as it applies to me. 

[Berliegh]

I loathe having to pay $150 per hour for God knows how long to a rude insulting therapist (no one else in my area) waiting for her to decide when I have conformed enough to her standards of what an ftm should be.

That said - there are confused and possibly mentally ill people who wish to change genders for reasons other than actual gender dysphoria. When a person with multiple personality disorder emerges from the SRS table in their male persona wondering what their female persona has done to them - it isn't pretty.

So, I understand the very real need for the safeguards.

I agree with you Nero. In the U.K we pay the U.K equivilent of $250 per session to see a psychiatrist. I also agree that much enphasis is put on mental health issue's. I have statements from previous psychiatrists who state I have no mental health issue's. I found most NHS GIC psychiatrists to also be rude and insulting although the private psychiatrist I saw was very pleasant and helpful.

Some operations (facial surgery, liposuction, breast augmentation etc) do not need the approval of a psychiatrist or therapist (apart from GRS) therefore I've now realised how unimportant and a waste of time they can be.

The HBSOC is only put there as a guide.

[rhonda13000]

agree with you Nero. In the U.K we pay the U.K equivilent of $250 per session to see a psychiatrist. I also agree that much enphasis is put on mental health issue's. I have statements from previous psychiatrists who state I have no mental health issue's. I found most NHS GIC psychiatrists to also be rude and insulting although the private psychiatrist I saw was very pleasant and helpful.

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