Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hi everyone,

I have my first appointment at my local hospital with a Psych on Tuesday morning (so that they can ultimately refer me to a Gender Identity Clinic) and I was just wondering what to expect?

As in what kind of questions will he ask etc?

Any responses would be welcomed  :)

Not too sure. But for me it was kind of hard because my DR's first language was not english... So he kept thinking my issues were erectile dysfunction which was kinda funny... Because The problem was it GOING UP!

I'd be more focused on what is going to be asked at the gender clinic. I got asked questions about masturbation, thoughts, feelings and other things lol.

jennifer

Really wish I could offer for advice, hopefully some others can.

But if I may, I will suggest you try to stick to the points, relax, be completely honest. Say what it is you need and why. Also, to use a metaphore, don't ice the cake.

One more point. However it goes, please get back and tell us how you got on, what you feel and what actually happened.

Such information is going to be so helpful for others.

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 11, 2010, 03:21:48 PM
Hi everyone,
I have my first appointment at my local hospital with a Psych on Tuesday morning (so that they can ultimately refer me to a Gender Identity Clinic) and I was just wondering what to expect?
As in what kind of questions will he ask etc?
Any responses would be welcomed  :)

the first question will be why does a person nearly 2000 years old want to change sex.
get past that hurdle and then you will get asked about how long you have felt that way, what romantic and sex life you have had, what family you have, general health, job etc.
It might help if you go showing some crossdressing so they can see the inner person you claim to be.
Cross your fingers and hope you get someone who knows about sex and gender and hasn't been influenced by Blanchard or Bailey or Zucker.
The ones I've seen have been quite nice but detached and professional but they've signed the papers that the NHS needs at each stage.

I had my first appointment a couple of weeks ago.   The psychiatrist was mostly concerned that my decision to transition was not due to psychosis or mental illness.   There was a chat about my reasons behind my transition and how much time I spent as a living as a woman.   As I live as a woman apart from at work, She seemed satisfied and wrote to my GP regarding a referral.

Basically, Ithink the first session is to check that you are not a time waster, that you are not suffering from mental illness and that you have thought through your decision to transition.    Once referred, the hard work begins.

I would go dressed.   Nothing fancy and light make up as overdressing may be seen as a sign of tranvestism as opposed to gender dysphoria.   At the first session you will be speaking to a generalist not a gender identity specialist.

Quote from: Pippa on September 12, 2010, 05:07:47 AMBasically, I think the first session is to check that you are not a time waster, that you are not suffering from mental illness and that you have thought through your decision to transition.

This is pretty much the way my appointment went, but mine felt like quite a light consultation. I felt like I was really just being screened for any signs of mental illness, substance abuse or suicide risk - being ticked off from more urgent diagnoses in order to go ahead. I was asked to fill in a questionnaire in order to gauge my mood, and to see how often I was getting depressed; then I spoke to a consultant for about 20 minutes, simply talking through the issue. I was asked about the feelings I had, whether or not my family knew yet, and if I might find myself kicked out of the house for coming out - in which case I assume they would have given me details of some local hospices or something.

Really mine was all pretty reassuring. I wouldn't worry too much. Like I said, my experience had me feeling that this was the NHS ensuring I didn't have any other problems - and yes, probably to check I'm not wasting their time. Just make sure that you and the practice know how is making your referral to the GIC, though! My psych. centre assumed that my GP would do it, and when I heard nothing about my referral for some time and gave the system a poke, she ended up having to play catch-up with the PCT. Clearly not many people transitioning on the NHS around here..!

Hiya,

My transition was through the NHS. I went direct to my GID clinic through my doctor. When I had my initial appointment with the Doctor at the GID I went as female, they asked me my details, age, health, etc. Then some background stuff like cross dressing, when I first felt different, any sexual nature to the dressing, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. I spoke about my past a lot and how I felt back then. My then current relationship and intimacy.

Be honest and be yourself. BTW if you don't mind me asking, where will you be attending? You can pm me if you want rather than saying on a public forum.

Hope it goes well.

Stardust

I got fed up of waiting after asking for a referral in april from my gp, so in the end I skipped this stage by going private. I have to say despite the obvious costs involved I don't think I could have handled waiting any longer for the NHS.

Stardust, I am going to Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool.  I have no idea what to think about the whole thing, I feel a little nervous but just going to in there with an open mind. Also getting laser on my face for the 2nd time after I've been to work, so its a big day for me!

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 13, 2010, 02:23:55 PM
Stardust, I am going to Fazakerley Hospital in Liverpool.  I have no idea what to think about the whole thing, I feel a little nervous but just going to in there with an open mind. Also getting laser on my face for the 2nd time after I've been to work, so its a big day for me!

Hiya, I've not heard of that but I guess its not a Gid clinic. So will you be attending a Gid clinic around your area? Not sure which one's there are there in the North West of England, although I've heard of one in Manchester.

Hope it goes well and just be honest and be yourself as I've already said.

Stardust

No it was just a local hospital that I attended.

The appointment went ok, he was just asking me if I had any mental illnesses, drew up my family tree and asked about our relationships and if they had any illnesses, asked a few questions about sex and stuff, but I answered truthfully about how I wouldn't let anyone else near my body the way it is currently and answered everything well I think.

He said to me afterwards that after the assessment he concluded that I am fine and have no mental illnesses and is happy to write a letter to refer to me to the GIC in London, although he admited he had never done this before and didn't know how long it would take for funding and appointments etc.

I left the appointment quite happy with how I handled the situation and how truthful I answered everything.
Now just have to sit and wait...

Congratulations! Glad to hear that things went well. Sadly it could be a long wait. I had a psych. appointment in January this year and was eventually sent notice of an appointment in May - for early February 2011. The appointment of a new doctor at Charing Cross seems to have brought my own and a few others' appointments forward and I'm now due for October, but it's still been a long wait.

The folks here at Susan's really helped me out with this waiting time - basically, now is the best time to move along with transition. I hope I'm not patronising you, as I don't know how far along you are, but it seems that the more you can make yourself comfortable, the more rewards you'll reap when the time eventually comes. I hope you have an awesome waiting period. :)

It sounds as though it went well. It's quite surprising just how many of these docs have no idea what to do as far as referals go. We're not that rare! Like you I'm now waiting on CHX.

TC M x

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 14, 2010, 01:07:09 PM
He said to me afterwards that after the assessment he concluded that I am fine and have no mental illnesses and is happy to write a letter to refer to me to the GIC in London, although he admited he had never done this before and didn't know how long it would take for funding and appointments etc.

I left the appointment quite happy with how I handled the situation and how truthful I answered everything.
Now just have to sit and wait...

That is a result. Nay, RESULT  ;D

It's all about steps. In life, we have to do everything in steps. One step at a time.

You have just taken a big positive step.

Well done!!

Thanks guys! Although the waiting times you suggested seems horrendous!
I bought hormones off a friend a while a go (perfectly safe from NHS) and still havn't taken them, maybe I should start while I wait..

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 14, 2010, 04:44:50 PM
Thanks guys! Although the waiting times you suggested seems horrendous!

From my personal experience (and bare in mind I opted for the private route because i'm an impatient young lady) the biggest priority is face hair (which reading your replies I can see that you have started) because it does take ages  >:(
Next thing you should look at is legally transitioning, changing your name and then changing bank account, tax and NI records, credit cards, medical records etc, because if you do it really backs up your case when you see a gender specialist...basically boiling down to "look I've done everything I can do to transition, can I now have HRT please" situation.

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 14, 2010, 04:44:50 PM
I bought hormones off a friend a while a go (perfectly safe from NHS) and still havn't taken them, maybe I should start while I wait..

With the hormones the key thing is that once you start them stopping them for a long period of time is not a good idea because if you start them again they'll be less effective. I'm not going to say "don't DIY" because I'd be a hypocrite, but please do be careful because of the effect I've mentioned, and also because without the regular blood tests you get to monitor you when your HRT is officially sponsored you don't really know how they are affecting your body.

Quote from: jennifer90 on September 14, 2010, 04:44:50 PM
Thanks guys! Although the waiting times you suggested seems horrendous!
I bought hormones off a friend a while a go (perfectly safe from NHS) and still havn't taken them, maybe I should start while I wait..

To add to Helena's advice.

I know a lot of Drs get really annoyed when you try to usurp their position.

The wait may be a drag, but it will be terrible if you finally get there only to have some bad tempered type pushing you away because you started without him.

Just a thought.

I actually heard that the GIC don't mind if you have started without them, just makes them prescribe you them directly so that they can monitor and control what you are taking, rather than doing it all yourself.  Shows initiative maybe...

Hi again, if you are taking HRT you need to have your bloods monitored can be dangerous (liver, kidneys, etc).

When you get to the point of funding have Mr Philip Thomas, he did mine and even though I've had my ups and downs (read update on my surgery) the result is fantastic and very natural and orgasmic already at two months, hehe. Just had my post op assessment yesterday and because things have gone really well healing wise these last two weeks he has discharged me. He even said I could drop down to dilating only twice a day at two months, tried that just today and no probs to full depth.

Stardust

I really don't know the answer to that, i would imagine that if you'd already been taking hormones that they'd want blood tests done ASAP just to monitor you. Whether they'd give you a metaphorical pat on the back for showing initiative or a grouchy talking down to for taking your life in your hands I don't know.

I'm sticking to an 'all-in' with the NHS (partly because I can't afford a steady hormone regime anyway, but that aside..) partly from fear of getting things wrong, and mostly a rather submissive attitude. I try to put myself in the doctors' position and I guess I too would feel much better about treating a patient exclusively. I'm hoping that if I be nice to them, they be nice to me... ;D

I'm kind of in this situation as I've been cheating on the NHS with other doctors! I have started hrt privately (but still under medical supervision) whilst also taking the NHS path in the hope that I can switch my treatment at some point. The NHS have not had a problem with this and I'm awaiting an appointment date from CHX GIC (funding has been approved). However, I'm not sure that they would have the same attitude towards self medicating and would strongly urge you if you decide to do this, to at least inform your G.P so that they can check on your health while you are on hrt (It is also worth remembering that it is illegal for your friend to have given you her prescription drugs so this is worth bearing in mind when you speak to them)

TC   M x

I was thinking of the private route myself today, who did you go see Millie was it Dr Curtis? How long did you wait for your 1st appointment and when were you prescribed hormones? I just want to try them to see if I feel the sense of feeling good in your own skin like I heard.

Hi Jen,

Yeah, I'm seeing Dr C at the moment and he prescribed hrt at my 2nd appointment (3 months after my 1st) although he often asks for evidence that you are having counselling or have been living 'in role' (hideous term!) for 3 months, I was okay because I was having counselling. It doesn't take very long to get an appointment, a few days, although I think that he's on his hols at the moment. As I'm sure that you know. It isn't the cheap option but your health is not worth messing with.

TC Mx

It depends on how quickly you want to move really. I had my first appointment with Dr Perring last week, he's writing to my GP as I type to arrange shared care (basically I get hrt and blood tests through the NHS) and I'm going back at the end of november once I've had the blood tests and will walk out with a prescription.

I made damn sure that I did a lot towards my transition so i could sit there and say that I'd done everything I could do with my transition and that HRT was the next logical step. I booked my appointment back in july and could have gone within two weeks, but it was a little too soon and I had to wait till dr perring came back from holiday. it's very quick, but you will pay for the privilege.

The best thing I ever did was go private!  Make sure your GP though still keeps you going through the NHS route.  I had a slip up a few months in because I had a private prescription which my doctor wouldn't convert to a NHS one until I saw the local psychiatrist.
I went that route and managed to get a prescription about 3/4 months after starting therapy. 

Quote from: Helena on September 16, 2010, 02:44:22 PM
It depends on how quickly you want to move really. I had my first appointment with Dr Perring last week, he's writing to my GP as I type to arrange shared care (basically I get hrt and blood tests through the NHS) and I'm going back at the end of november once I've had the blood tests and will walk out with a prescription.

I made damn sure that I did a lot towards my transition so i could sit there and say that I'd done everything I could do with my transition and that HRT was the next logical step. I booked my appointment back in july and could have gone within two weeks, but it was a little too soon and I had to wait till dr perring came back from holiday. it's very quick, but you will pay for the privilege.

Hello Helena,
That's good, so how long have you been taking hormone now? you look very feminate, I am 24 years old, but I have been taking the hormone for1.5 weeks now,but I still feel not much difference. are you in full time now?I am still not highly confident to be a fulltimeat the moment?is it normal?


Regards,
Sarah

Quote from: saraharmstrong on September 18, 2010, 08:45:21 PM


Hello Helena,
That's good, so how long have you been taking hormone now? you look very feminate, I am 24 years old, but I have been taking the hormone for1.5 weeks now,but I still feel not much difference. are you in full time now?I am still not highly confident to be a fulltimeat the moment?is it normal?


Regards,
Sarah

I haven't officially started HRT, yet...hehe, but these past two months there have been some changes they haven't been dramatic...it's mostly me to start with. It will be interesting to see how things develop  ;D

I'm currently not fully socially transitioned but I'm well on my way and will be fully transitioned by the end of the year.

Quote from: Helena on September 19, 2010, 12:45:05 PM
I haven't officially started HRT, yet...hehe, but these past two months there have been some changes they haven't been dramatic...it's mostly me to start with. It will be interesting to see how things develop  ;D

I'm currently not fully socially transitioned but I'm well on my way and will be fully transitioned by the end of the year.

which shops would you normally go for shopping ? Primark seems a good choice, but there are a lot of people all the time. M&S is a bit expensive , but it would be less people. By the way, what is your favourite combination style for work? I like wearing shirt with  black skirt , but of course I have never done it before when I work. They may not accept that happened. have you ever dressed in female when going to work? Would you do your shopping alone or with some female friends?

Regards,
Sarah

Quote from: saraharmstrong on September 20, 2010, 07:05:39 PM
which shops would you normally go for shopping ? Primark seems a good choice, but there are a lot of people all the time. M&S is a bit expensive , but it would be less people. By the way, what is your favourite combination style for work? I like wearing shirt with  black skirt , but of course I have never done it before when I work. They may not accept that happened. have you ever dressed in female when going to work? Would you do your shopping alone or with some female friends?

I recommend you check the Beauty/Fashion board out, Sarah; I've pondered these questions myself, and they are quite important in the greater scheme of transition. There's a knack to picking out places like Matalan - in my case an outlet store busy enough that you won't be alone on the shop floor, but quiet enough that you may have the fitting rooms to yourself. :)

Quote from: Gemma on September 21, 2010, 05:54:13 AM
I recommend you check the Beauty/Fashion board out, Sarah; I've pondered these questions myself, and they are quite important in the greater scheme of transition. There's a knack to picking out places like Matalan - in my case an outlet store busy enough that you won't be alone on the shop floor, but quiet enough that you may have the fitting rooms to yourself. :)

Thanks, Gemma. I used to go some quiet shops like Asda or even Debenham when it is not busy there. I feel that the staff may give me a strange look. Do you recommend to dress in female before shopping? I guess it would be less embrassed and more easier for us especially when getting bras, leggging..... I did not dress in female style when shopping last time, but the staff still helped me for the suitable size. i was quite scared. I am still not familiar to wear skirts, legging or dresses out though due to lack of confidence. how long does it normally take to go through this feeling?

Regards,
Sarah