General Discussions => Help and howto's => Topic started by: TragicMagic on December 26, 2012, 04:43:10 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Telling my GP for the first time!
Post by: TragicMagic on December 26, 2012, 04:43:10 AM
Post by: TragicMagic on December 26, 2012, 04:43:10 AM
Hey everyone ;D
I've just turned 18 and I've decided I have had enough of pretending to be a man so I'm deciding (finally, six years after finding out what was wrong with me) to transition. So my first port of call with the NHS will be with my GP tomorrow which I'm really excited about but also nervous :-\ How do I come out with it? How should I begin? Does anyone have any advice or experiences to share? I'm not exactly expecting her to kick me out calling me a freak, but I'm not holding out for her to be massively supportive.
Thanks :-*
I've just turned 18 and I've decided I have had enough of pretending to be a man so I'm deciding (finally, six years after finding out what was wrong with me) to transition. So my first port of call with the NHS will be with my GP tomorrow which I'm really excited about but also nervous :-\ How do I come out with it? How should I begin? Does anyone have any advice or experiences to share? I'm not exactly expecting her to kick me out calling me a freak, but I'm not holding out for her to be massively supportive.
Thanks :-*
Title: Re: Telling my GP for the first time!
Post by: Catherine Sarah on December 26, 2012, 08:07:20 AM
Post by: Catherine Sarah on December 26, 2012, 08:07:20 AM
Hi TM,
The trick is in two parts. First, take the confidence you have gained in admitting to yourself who you are; and that you're tired of acting out someone you're not; into the doctors room so she can clearly see who she is dealing with.
The second part is just being yourself. No pretension, no anticipation, no acting. Just be you, answer the questions, ask twice as many, and if your not satisfied or inspired by her reaction/attitude ........ Find someone else.
You know who you are, you know what you want. You jut need to go and get it. You've got he confidence.
Keep in touch and let us know how you are coping. Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa Huggs
Catherine
The trick is in two parts. First, take the confidence you have gained in admitting to yourself who you are; and that you're tired of acting out someone you're not; into the doctors room so she can clearly see who she is dealing with.
The second part is just being yourself. No pretension, no anticipation, no acting. Just be you, answer the questions, ask twice as many, and if your not satisfied or inspired by her reaction/attitude ........ Find someone else.
You know who you are, you know what you want. You jut need to go and get it. You've got he confidence.
Keep in touch and let us know how you are coping. Be safe, well and happy
Lotsa Huggs
Catherine
Title: Re: Telling my GP for the first time!
Post by: Padma on December 26, 2012, 08:29:41 AM
Post by: Padma on December 26, 2012, 08:29:41 AM
I agree. Go in expecting support, rather than trouble. Most GPs these days are supportive, if not necessarily informed. When I told my new GP last year, I just said "Hello, I've just moved here, and I'm here to see you because I want to begin a gender transition." She replied, smiling, "Oh - it's been a while since I've dealt with one of those, but we can learn together!"
If you get a GP who does turn out to be a git, then just go and see a different one. All they need to do is to refer you to the district psychiatrist for assessment (this is just to ensure you don't have any mental health issues - or that if you do, they're going to be responded to alongside of your gender dysphoria, it's for your support). They in their turn will then refer you on to your nearest gender clinic for further assessment. It's not down the GP to have any opinions about what you're experiencing.
Which part of the country are you in?
(Incidentally, once the gender clinic takes you on as a client (which could take a few months after initially seeing them), you can generally get NHS funding for some laser sessions (I noticed you writing about hair removal elsewhere, you're a good candidate for laser with your hair colouring).
If you get a GP who does turn out to be a git, then just go and see a different one. All they need to do is to refer you to the district psychiatrist for assessment (this is just to ensure you don't have any mental health issues - or that if you do, they're going to be responded to alongside of your gender dysphoria, it's for your support). They in their turn will then refer you on to your nearest gender clinic for further assessment. It's not down the GP to have any opinions about what you're experiencing.
Which part of the country are you in?
(Incidentally, once the gender clinic takes you on as a client (which could take a few months after initially seeing them), you can generally get NHS funding for some laser sessions (I noticed you writing about hair removal elsewhere, you're a good candidate for laser with your hair colouring).
Title: Re: Telling my GP for the first time!
Post by: TragicMagic on December 27, 2012, 03:47:06 AM
Post by: TragicMagic on December 27, 2012, 03:47:06 AM
Hi again!! :D
I've done the impossible and have finally told my gp about it and she said she'll refer me to a psychiatrist! BUT it will likely be a long wait because the nhs is skint :/
Nevertheless I'm so happy now!!
And Parma I'm live in Bristol at te moment but planning to move to London in July ;D
I've done the impossible and have finally told my gp about it and she said she'll refer me to a psychiatrist! BUT it will likely be a long wait because the nhs is skint :/
Nevertheless I'm so happy now!!
And Parma I'm live in Bristol at te moment but planning to move to London in July ;D