Trans misdiagnosis?

[PageOfD]

As part of my ongoing attempts to convince my parents I am trans i promised them I'd look into some of the conditions that can be mistakenly diagnosed as someone being trans, but so far I've only found vague things (like other identity disorders or psychosis disorders).
Does anyone know of some more specific conditions that may be mistaken for transgender/transsexualism?

[adrian]

Hi Page,

DID (dissociative identity disorder) is the one condition I have heard which can "mimic" being transgender if you have an alter (or alters) who are different from the gender you were assigned at birth. I think I remember one member here, for whom this was the case. In such a case, HRT and medically transitioning would be a problem because it would help the alter, but not the primary identity or other alters.

A good therapist should be capable to distinguish between DID and gender dysphoria. Do you have access to counseling? This doesn't seem like something your parents should just "drop" on you as a task...

[Elis]

Thought this may be helpful bcos you can look through the symptoms and know that you are trans http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dissociative-disorders/Pages/Introduction.aspx. Btw, it does seem like an awful thing that your parents don't believe you are trans, I hope it gets better fot you.

[Contravene]

I've heard of Body Dysmorphic Disorder sometimes being confused with "Gender Identity Disorder". The definition of BDD is "a psychological disorder in which a person becomes obsessed with imaginary defects in their appearance."

People with BDD experience dysphoria over their perceived defects so sometimes people who experience gender related dysphoria are misdiagnosed with BDD and vice versa. Working with a therapist to figure out what the cause of dysphoria is should prevent a misdiagnosis though.

[Amadeus]

Do you have a licensed therapist who specialises in gender issues, who knows what gender dysphoria/dysmorphia is?  Has that therapist formally diagnosed you with gender dysphoria/dysmorphia and said, "Yeah, you really should undergo medical transition so that your body matches your mind"?

You do?  Ah.  I see.  And that's not good enough for your parents?  Hmm...interesting.  What if you were to get a second opinion from another mental health therapist who may not necessarily specialise in gender issues, but would definitely know gender dysphoria/dysmorphia when confronted with it?  Would that be enough?

Because it honestly sounds like your parents are looking for a solid excuse to invalidate your feelings so they'll be more comfortable with who they think you are.  You're not, as far as I know, a psychologist or psychiatrist, so the burden of searching for answers just to confirm what you and a professional already knows, should not lie with you.  Yes, there's a chance your parents are just looking out for you and your well-being.  But there's a stronger chance that they're just uncomfortable with you, or anyone else, being gender non-conformative.

I think it would be worthwhile to ask them, "Would you believe me if I got a second professional opinion?"  Then follow up with some facts: that therapy costs a small fortune, and that a second opinion will pretty much bolster the first one.  See how they react.  Just my tuppence.

[Ayden]

The only one I can think of would be body dysmorphic disorder. But, it is different at the same time. I had severe eating issues for a long time when I was younger and as a result I was all over the place with my weight. It's not quite the same as being transgendered though, at least in my experience. There are overlaps in that in both cases the person has body issues, but the core problem is different.

Honestly, I would see if you can get one or two professional opinions. Misdiagnosis can be dangerous at best and catastrophic at worst.