Let me rephrase this since I don't think there is enough space on the subject line to properly word it. Every time I read a story about someone getting their T letter it is two extremes. Either the person had to go through an insanely long period of waiting, or they got it almost on their first visit. Rarely do I see middle ground. Maybe I'm just seeing things lol
There's this kid on YouTube though. I think he's 16. And he is already on T. I'm very happy for him, so don't get me wrong when I say this but it sort of rubs me the wrong way that a 16 year old in GEORGIA (Go figure) can get on T, before even turning 18 and myself, (20) has to wait probably a year before my therapist gives me that letter.
It's like 50 bucks every visit and I've already had 3 visits. 2 of them were for the one I'm seeing now. And I don't want my mom wasting any more money just so I can continue to "experiment" with therapists. It sucks. Because I don't want to start over with someone else just because I know we can't afford it.
On the bright side, I see this therapist again on Tuesday and if anyone remembers she was telling me how I have to make this plan or whatever and I had to get a job and blah blah blah. Well, I get to walk into her office and tell her I got a job! So maybe I should just ask for that T letter lol JK...I wish!
I think it depends on the attitude of the therapist towards transgender issues more generally. Those with a lot of experience know the types of questions to ask and issues to discuss, and I think they feel more comfortable giving testosterone. Then there are others who are trans-friendly, but less experienced, and have a bit more reservations regarding hormones because they want to be absolutely 100% sure that they are right.
To be honest, and this seems almost paradoxical, I also think that the experienced therapists know that they can never truly assess someone's gender identity. They realize that there are people who can and will "fudge" the answers they give to the therapist's questions. So they take people at face value. The less experienced therapists might feel they can determine someone's gender identity, through close scrutiny.
I'm not an advocate of lying to therapists, in the least, but I acknowledge that it does happen.
Quote from: edderkopp on August 16, 2012, 03:01:42 PM
I think it depends on the attitude of the therapist towards transgender issues more generally. Those with a lot of experience know the types of questions to ask and issues to discuss, and I think they feel more comfortable giving testosterone. Then there are others who are trans-friendly, but less experienced, and have a bit more reservations regarding hormones because they want to be absolutely 100% sure that they are right.
to be honest, I think the more experienced ones also realize that people can just lie, lol. And take people at face value because it is harder to know. I am NOT an advocate of lying to therapists, I think it's extremely risky, especially if someone is uncertain about their gender issues, but let's face it. It does happen. People openly admit to lying because they want their letter and don't want to be judged as not "trans enough." But I digress.
You make an excellent point! The therapist I saw before this one actually compared me to someone who would go to Mexico and get T...All this because I had a LITTLE break down at her office when she said a year of therapy lol It just hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn't know how to react. Oh welllllll...and for the record, I have no way of getting to Mexico and even if I did, I would not want to go there lol Or get T illegally. That's just stupid
I went for two months and got my letter... maybe like 7 sessions? The sixth session I took a psychological screening and then she got my results and called me disgustingly normal. She asked to use my results in seminars in reference to what a normal persons test results looked like. The only issue was gender and she told me that the test was telling her that I would function a lot better in the gender I identified with, which gave her more incentive to write my letter, I suppose because the next day I had one faxed to my doctor.
I saw my therapist for about a year and 1/2 or so before getting on T. This was my choice however due to school and timing. She would have likely written my letter within 3 months per the old guidelines.
As I've been vocal about on the boards I'm on the extreme side of never getting my T, 4 years and counting! For me it hasn't been a therapist or gatekeeping problem it's been clueless GP's who don't want to actually get the ball rolling or take any responsibility for my treatment. It took me years just to find a GP who would actually refer me to a gender clinic. I even got referred for bottom surgery at one point by one idiot GP xD I got a letter from them obviously saying I didn't fit the criteria for bottom surgery which I took back to the GP and tried to explain I actually wanted a referral to start hormones and he replied with a very exasperated "you can't just take pills and become a man you know" *facepalmheaddesk*
It would be FABULOUS if they could dedicate just one lesson in med school to a basic outline of transpeople and their treamtnet. A leaflet...something! Most doctors seem to have no idea that we even exist.
A couple of months into my therapy, I knew that there was no way I could live without transitioning, even if it meant killing my 19-year relationship. The relationship was, and had been, my only real barrier for years. I know that my therapist would not have written a letter so early in my time with him, even though I was seeing him twice a week.
I still had to work up the nerve to face this decision and actually ask for the letter. I mean, transition wasn't really a decision. It was just what I had to do to stay alive. So I fought it and hated it and wanted it and needed it. I guess that went on for a couple of months. I don't think my therapist would have written the letter during this time because I was still working through my stuff.
Then, maybe about four months in, I entered a phase during which my need for transition outweighed absolutely everything. Somewhere in there, I asked for my letter, and he agreed to write it. At about the five-month mark, I called the endo to make an appointment, and my therapist wrote the letter sometime in there.
Six months and one week after I started therapy, I had my first shot.
Stewie, is this an Asian kid named Cam? He's a remarkable young man imo. Very bright-- probably in the gifted range. He has VERY supportive parents. I don't think there is anything wrong with someone starting T at 16, as I think that is going to happen more and more often now. I mean as long he has taken other steps which I think he has. He was not on puberty blockers, but if they start *really* early they wouldn't even need top surgery. BTW, I think he lives in Atlanta, so that can be like living in the north. Not really like Alabama.
But I do get your point. Some people have such a hard time, seems unfair (to those who have a hard time).
Btw, there are more people prescribed T without letters at all, they basically are read the side effects and lectured to a bit about what could go wrong. I think this is called "informed consent".
--Jay Jay
Quote from: Stewie on August 16, 2012, 03:04:29 PM
The therapist I saw before this one actually compared me to someone who would go to Mexico and get T...
lmao as if you have to go to Mexico to get illegal T. That last therapist sounds like a piece of work.
It was about four months for me, because I got sick and missed two sessions so I had to wait a littler longer (I was meeting with her bi-weekly). She would have written my letter earlier, but she said she wanted to make sure there wasn't any other underlying issues. I think some therapists may wait to see if there could be anything else that needs addressing (transition is a huge thing). Or maybe some of the less experienced ones just don't know what they are doing and others could just be gatekeeping. I do think there are a lot of gatekeepers, but I like to imagine that there are just as many that want to make sure that their clients are in a good place before any huge changes are made.
It was about a year for me. she was willing to do earlier, but due to timing b/c of school, we waited a year. I was 14 when I started T, (supportive parents) and my shrink has an MTF daughter, so I think that helped with timelines/willingness regarding my age.
@edderkopp--I think there is something there about the experience of the therapist. I think with the guy I have if I wanted to start T next week I could-- not sure about that, but I think he has the experience to trust me on what I would want. I think less experienced therapists are more likely to feel this is an area where many people would dupe their therapists.
I'm happy for people like RS and Cam. I think life will be a lot better for this generation. Perhaps they will be in a position where they can change the world because they don't have to deal with so much emotional upheaval.
(OTOH, can't help but feel a little twinge of jealousy, to know who you are so early and have someone take you seriously. Of course there are thousands of kids without the supportive families sadly.)
--Jay Jay
Quote from: Jeatyn on August 16, 2012, 05:21:52 PM
"you can't just take pills and become a man you know" *facepalmheaddesk*
It would be FABULOUS if they could dedicate just one lesson in med school to a basic outline of transpeople and their treamtnet. A leaflet...something! Most doctors seem to have no idea that we even exist.
I did see one very thick book for new doctors last year and it actually had almost one page devoted to the basic idea of transsexualism.
Stereotyping Georgia, smh. It has less to do with where you are located and more to do with the doctor you get. In the southern states there are actually people who are open and understanding *gasp*. Shocking I know.
But seriously, it has to do with the doctor you get. Some will be more willing to write them quicker, either because they are understanding, have experience with trans patients, or whatever. Some will not be because they are less understanding, have less experience, that's the way they like to do it, or whatever. It just depends.
Quote from: Andy8715 on August 17, 2012, 11:24:24 AM
Stereotyping Georgia, smh. It has less to do with where you are located and more to do with the doctor you get. In the southern states there are actually people who are open and understanding *gasp*. Shocking I know. .
Ever been to Atlanta? It's like any major metropolitan area anywhere. Not much of the old south left there anyway. (BTW, I think that's the difference-- old vs new south.)
--Jay Jay
As someone with counseling experience - I think you may want to tell her how you FEEL - EXACTLY. And tell her you want the letter, it is what you KNOW you want, You FEEL she is wasting your time. And tell her that if she does not have enough experience to write a letter, she could just be uncomfortable with this type of thing, the only ethical thing for her to do is to refer you to another therapist who can write the letter. I really think being direct is going to help. Also, ask her how her "plan" has anything to do with what you are seeing her for. Many people don't have 5 year plans! Should everyone have a road map for life - yes, it would be a good idea. BUT that is not what you are seeking treatment for. You are not there for career counseling, or learning skills to help you reach your goals. All very reasonable and legit reasons to seek counseling. But if you know what you want, and you are sure of it - tell her.
Additionally, while I am about to start to see one myself - I've done a bit of research here and on other boards, the point of therapy is not, and I repeat not to tell if you are Trans - as another poster stated earlier, no one can tell but you. It is to make sure that you do not have any other 'underlying pathology that could be causing you to feel like you want to change genders, i.e, transitioning to please a parent or something.
Good luck.
jeatyn,
You raise some every good points. have you heard of the Cochran Reports? Don't worry, your GP has, at least every MD and APRN still side of the Atlantic has. It is an evidenced based medicine clearinghouse. It is available to the public online. Check it out and see if it has anything that might help you. Under line the important bits and then bring it with you on your next visit. Also bring a copy of the WPATH. You are probably right. GPs are very busy and it is hard for them to keep up with everything. I shadow a GP for part of my clinicals last semester and it is nerve racking what he must stay current on. With the amount of time he has, he probably keeps up with BP news, resp infection treatments, morbidity and mortality report, etc. You are probably his only trans pts, and may be his only one for his entire medical career - its not like we are that common. Therefore, if you help educate him, you may find that it benefits you. Its probably not that we wants to in less then competent, he is just pressed for time, like everyone else.
Quote from: henrytwob on August 17, 2012, 09:02:21 PM
As someone with counseling experience - I think you may want to tell her how you FEEL - EXACTLY. And tell her you want the letter, it is what you KNOW you want, You FEEL she is wasting your time. And tell her that if she does not have enough experience to write a letter, she could just be uncomfortable with this type of thing, the only ethical thing for her to do is to refer you to another therapist who can write the letter. I really think being direct is going to help. Also, ask her how her "plan" has anything to do with what you are seeing her for. Many people don't have 5 year plans! Should everyone have a road map for life - yes, it would be a good idea. BUT that is not what you are seeking treatment for. You are not there for career counseling, or learning skills to help you reach your goals. All very reasonable and legit reasons to seek counseling. But if you know what you want, and you are sure of it - tell her.
Additionally, while I am about to start to see one myself - I've done a bit of research here and on other boards, the point of therapy is not, and I repeat not to tell if you are Trans - as another poster stated earlier, no one can tell but you. It is to make sure that you do not have any other 'underlying pathology that could be causing you to feel like you want to change genders, i.e, transitioning to please a parent or something.
Good luck.
I am scared to be direct with her honestly. I feel like it wouldn't end up going very well for me. But tuesday I plan on telling her I'd like to start T by Christmas time/next semester.
Oh and as for my comment with Georgia, well I live in the South and it generally hasn't been great experiences for me. Maybe I don't give people the benefit of the doubt, but honestly that's probably for my own protection. I don't trust others easily.
Quote from: Stewie on August 16, 2012, 03:04:29 PM
You make an excellent point! The therapist I saw before this one actually compared me to someone who would go to Mexico and get T...All this because I had a LITTLE break down at her office when she said a year of therapy lol It just hit me like a ton of bricks and I didn't know how to react. Oh welllllll...and for the record, I have no way of getting to Mexico and even if I did, I would not want to go there lol Or get T illegally. That's just stupid
Just was thinking about what a fing stupid comment this is. IF you would go and get illegal T somewhere, why would you bother worrying about your T letter?
--Jay jay
Quote from: aleon515 on August 17, 2012, 10:09:19 PM
Just was thinking about what a fing stupid comment this is. IF you would go and get illegal T somewhere, why would you bother worrying about your T letter?
--Jay jay
Pretty much. And I know informed consent exists. So it's not like I NEED to go through therapy. But I CHOSE to go and see her. I wanted to see if she had anything to offer me. Guess not. Honestly, thus far I don't see how therapy has helped me. I just feel like I'm jumping through hoops and doing what she wants to get what I want. I thought that maybe therapy would give me some revelation and honestly it just has felt like a big waste of time.
At one point (forgive me if I have mentioned this before) she said that a problem with adoption is that we wouldn't have that biological connection which can be a problem if we don't like the same things...She went on to give me this story of how she knew a coach for a famous basketball team who had a son who hated basketball...apparently this was devastating and he was adopted...I told her it doesn't matter because my interests are very different from my family's and we just accept those differences and encourage the differences. But she says this is only because we have that biological connection....
I swear, I am with an idiot. She also said it's rare for gay men to want children. I am NOT a gay male but I was honestly offended by this too. I just think she is spewing out such stupid facts at me that have no truth to them.
Stewie...after I read your last post, every ounce of me was screaming for you to dump her.
I know a lot of older gay men who had kids and wanted them, but most of these men made their own genetic children during a hetero marriage. However, I have also met a number of gay men who regretted not being able to have kids or adopt them. And I'm seeing more and more gay men with kids.
When I was growing up, I had few interests in common with my parents, and I had less in common with them the older I got. I don't know of any of my close friends who have any interests in common with their folks...
Quote from: Arch on August 17, 2012, 10:28:34 PM
Stewie...after I read your last post, every ounce of me was screaming for you to dump her.
I know a lot of older gay men who had kids and wanted them, but most of these men made their own genetic children during a hetero marriage. However, I have also met a number of gay men who regretted not being able to have kids or adopt them. And I'm seeing more and more gay men with kids.
When I was growing up, I had few interests in common with my parents, and I had less in common with them the older I got. I don't know of any of my close friends who have any interests in common with their folks...
Trust me, I am torn right now. Where I live right now though, I don't have many options. I don't live in a very accepting area. I have seen 3 therapists now. One was my school one, the second one was the illegal Mexican T one, and the third one is the one I'm seeing now. I feel like if I try for another one, then I have just wasted SO much time. And money. I feel like I don't want to continue starting over.
Like I said though. I'm going to tell her what I want on Tuesday. And if it doesn't go well...Well I'm going to consider my options. By christmas/january I will have been in therapy for 6 months. I think that is more than enough time...
I hear ya...good luck with your appointment. I'll be looking for your next post.
IMO, bad therapy or counseling is MUCH worse than no therapy at all. An incompetent or mean person can actually cause damage. It doesn't matter what your motivations are because this involves teamwork. The person is just an idiot.
I wouldn't go frankly.
--Jay Jay
Dude, don't let them mess with your head too much. It sounds like a lot of ignorance and gatekeeping.
Fwiw getting a T letter was in the middle for me. I'd spent a couple years coming out to more and more people and doing research and trying to prepare my life for the changes, and when I decided to officially pursue it I was already established as pretty clearly trans/male. The therapist was inexperienced and balked and made me feel terribly worthless and hopeless, but my physician was totally understanding and on my side. I think it took me four or five months once I made up my mind to seek T.
Quote from: Jeatyn on August 16, 2012, 05:21:52 PM
As I've been vocal about on the boards I'm on the extreme side of never getting my T, 4 years and counting! For me it hasn't been a therapist or gatekeeping problem it's been clueless GP's who don't want to actually get the ball rolling or take any responsibility for my treatment. It took me years just to find a GP who would actually refer me to a gender clinic. I even got referred for bottom surgery at one point by one idiot GP xD I got a letter from them obviously saying I didn't fit the criteria for bottom surgery which I took back to the GP and tried to explain I actually wanted a referral to start hormones and he replied with a very exasperated "you can't just take pills and become a man you know" *facepalmheaddesk*
It would be FABULOUS if they could dedicate just one lesson in med school to a basic outline of transpeople and their treamtnet. A leaflet...something! Most doctors seem to have no idea that we even exist.
Here in the UK I know that GPs have a little booklet this about trans people. I haven't started my therapy yet but I do hope that they actually use it. I think it depends on the individual therapist and what they thing also onto of education sometimes, even though they should put all personal connotations aside I don't think it always happens. Sadly.
You can see a therapist via Skype or an online therapist.
Laura's Playground has a list (I don't know of a list here but I might be wrong). Anyway, I'd rather do this. As I said a bad therapist can cause damage. I speak from personal experience. I didn't know I was trans* and it wasn't a GT but someone actually told me that I would be better off if I dressed like a girl and was more feminine. This was years ago, but I obviously remember it. I've gone on in my life obviously, but the fact that I can recall it after so many years shows this stuff can pack a punch. Don't go back!
The good thing re: these lists is that people have checked them out so they are a little proven. It doesn't mean that you will connect, but you shouldn't get a quack. I'm just leaving the whole resource thread here. You can see the GTs here.
Here's a list:
http://www.lauras-playground.com/tg_resources_laura.htm (http://www.lauras-playground.com/tg_resources_laura.htm)
--Jay Jay
Quote from: Stewie on August 16, 2012, 02:58:30 PM
It's like 50 bucks every visit and I've already had 3 visits.
$50 thats cheap. My phycologist was $150 an hour. He is a trans specialist and I saw him three times just to get the phyciatrist referral.
ok. Your therapist is officially perhaps an idiot. At the very least, she has NO experience with diverse populations, i.e. GLBT communities. You probably are wasting your time. Time and money that could be spent on other things, which would include a therapist who is competent in the areas that your require.
That said, I think your lack of ability to be honest with her and assertive is part of the problem. Are all men assertive. Of course not. However, people who deal with generalities and stereotypes believe 1) ALL men are assertive, 2) Men are direct and women are indirect,, etc. Of course this is not true, but people often see the world this way. Therefore, your lack of assertiveness reads to her like lack of masculinity. She may then doubt that you would "fit" in a male space. Personally, maybe your work includes being able to advocate for yourself and being about to control your boundaries - both things many men ( and healthy women) do like breathing.
have you read Debra Tannen's book , " that's not what i said"? She specializes in gender and communication. It is an eye opener and will help you. I learned a lot about communication from that book that I use frequently.
Good luck.
Quote from: henrytwob on August 19, 2012, 10:57:01 AM
have you read Debra Tannen's book , " that's not what i said"?
Correction:
That's Not What I Meant! But I was wondering if you meant
You Just Don't Understand? They both talk about gender, of course, but the latter book is specifically about gender. I've read parts of that one--I zoomed through it quickly but did slow down to give more attention to certain parts--and was pretty dismayed. It seemed heavily stereotyped (which I expected and much of which is unavoidable), with claims that didn't seem well supported, and it seemed sexist and...culturist?...and possibly classist. With that said, I'm no expert. I was just determining whether to assign this book to my students from the department book list. My decision was a resounding NO. Maybe it's worth another look.
I'm wondering if female therapists tend to have a harder time with FTMs...in fact, my town has a couple of female therapists who do trans stuff, and they don't seem to acquit themselves well. One does mostly FTMs and has serious issues herself, and the other I don't know--but she has a bad rep with the couple of FTMs I talked to. Maybe the therapists are expecting female communication styles from their clients, hahaha.
Quote from: henrytwob on August 19, 2012, 10:57:01 AM
ok. Your therapist is officially perhaps an idiot. At the very least, she has NO experience with diverse populations, i.e. GLBT communities. You probably are wasting your time. Time and money that could be spent on other things, which would include a therapist who is competent in the areas that your require.
That said, I think your lack of ability to be honest with her and assertive is part of the problem. Are all men assertive. Of course not. However, people who deal with generalities and stereotypes believe 1) ALL men are assertive, 2) Men are direct and women are indirect,, etc. Of course this is not true, but people often see the world this way. Therefore, your lack of assertiveness reads to her like lack of masculinity. She may then doubt that you would "fit" in a male space. Personally, maybe your work includes being able to advocate for yourself and being about to control your boundaries - both things many men ( and healthy women) do like breathing.
have you read Debra Tannen's book , " that's not what i said"? She specializes in gender and communication. It is an eye opener and will help you. I learned a lot about communication from that book that I use frequently.
Good luck.
I AM honest with her. Assertiveness is another issue. Why? Because I don't want to come off as being bossy and screw myself over. That is the reason I'm scared to say "I want T at this time". Trust me, part of me DOES think that she wants me to say something along these lines. However, like I said, I'm scared to piss her off, and I'm also scared of being told no. It will just be disheartening. But tomorrow is the day! I shall either be SUPER happy or EXTREMELY dissapointed again lol My odds are great aren't they?
Quote from: aleon515 on August 18, 2012, 02:11:42 PM
You can see a therapist via Skype or an online therapist.
Laura's Playground has a list (I don't know of a list here but I might be wrong). Anyway, I'd rather do this. As I said a bad therapist can cause damage. I speak from personal experience. I didn't know I was trans* and it wasn't a GT but someone actually told me that I would be better off if I dressed like a girl and was more feminine. This was years ago, but I obviously remember it. I've gone on in my life obviously, but the fact that I can recall it after so many years shows this stuff can pack a punch. Don't go back!
The good thing re: these lists is that people have checked them out so they are a little proven. It doesn't mean that you will connect, but you shouldn't get a quack. I'm just leaving the whole resource thread here. You can see the GTs here.
Here's a list:
http://www.lauras-playground.com/tg_resources_laura.htm (http://www.lauras-playground.com/tg_resources_laura.htm)
--Jay Jay
Thanks for the link but I've seen it already. And none of these therapists are closer than 2 hours away. So it just can't happen. And I don't know if the one the does phone sessions is covered by my insurance. I will have to wait and see after tuesday if I will be looking for other options.
What about Skype or online Stewie? Can't hurt to try this.
--Jay Jay
I don't think it could hurt to ask her to help you set some more solid dates in terms of your transition.
perhaps you could bring it up and say something along the lines of "So I have been making a financial/timeline plan for my transition, and I am wondering where we can fit testosterone therapy in there. When do you think, realistically, I can look at taking this next step?"
And if she gives you some long ridiculous timeline, just ask her why, and ask her to be specific about how you can achieve those things. Examples. If your BS radar goes off, it can help inform you as to whether or not you want to try starting over with another therapist or another option.
Quote from: edderkopp on August 20, 2012, 11:07:24 PM
perhaps you could bring it up and say something along the lines of "So I have been making a financial/timeline plan for my transition, and I am wondering where we can fit testosterone therapy in there. When do you think, realistically, I can look at taking this next step?"
Very often, asking a pointed question, rather than demanding and drawing a line in the sand, can really get you where you need to go.
With that said, I have talked to a few trans guys whose therapists expected them to be assertively "manly" about requesting HRT. As in, don't ask--tell. I guess they figure that if you are going to live as a man, you might as well fit the stereotype. ::)
Good luck, Stewie.
QuoteHowever, like I said, I'm scared to piss her off, and I'm also scared of being told no.
Isn't the current lack of a yes effectively the same as a no?
So, what do you really have to lose?
Quote from: aleon515 on August 20, 2012, 06:13:49 PM
What about Skype or online Stewie? Can't hurt to try this.
--Jay Jay
Most of the online therapists have a free consultation of 15 minutes where you can call and ask any questions you need to. My therapist did take insurance, but not mine since I was about 4,000 miles away from her. Even then though it was only $60 a session. When my card was maxed out because of tution payments and such, she just let me pay her later and didn't bat an eye.
So, it can't hurt to at least check.
Quote from: bojangles on August 22, 2012, 01:24:09 PM
Isn't the current lack of a yes effectively the same as a no?
So, what do you really have to lose?
^A bad therapist is worse than no therapist at all. And she can't drop you because you contacted another therapist. That's as crazy as saying that your family doctor stopped seeing you because you sought out the opinion of another doctor.
Jeatyn - The time I spent fighting for T was around the same time as you, so I share your pain!
To get on T I found much harder, than to get chest surgery (which I had to push for) and lower surgery.
I went to my DRs at 15. I know this is young, but there are still people who start T as young as this. I asked to be referred to a gender clinic. They referred me to teen mental health. There, I pushed for the same thing. I had to see 5 different professionals there, over 3 years, as each one felt theyd done all they could, so passed me to the next one. (They also felt that they should deal with my depression first, and thisll help them deal with the gender issues, when I was telling them constantly it was the other way around!) They did refer me to a gender clinic at age 16, but the clinic said they wouldnt see me till I was 18, so I had to continue to see the teen mental health people.
To add to the stress, there was this same teen mental health service in the area I lived, yet they sent me to the one in the next area. Id found out the one in my area(which I should have been seen at), was actually seeing another ftm, and he had been prescribed T already. I tried to get transferred to this one, but my place wouldnt let me go. (And they said they arent the right people to prescribe any hormones).
Just before my 18th Birthday (where the teen place would have to stop seeing me as Id be too old) the new professional I was seeing, noticed a letter over a year old in my files which noone ever showed me, which was from the mental health place in my area, saying they will take me on! Well, it was too late.
At 18, when I was finally allowed to be seen at the gender clinic, they refused to take the years of previous assessment, into consideration, so my RLE had to start all over again. Also, they then changed their policy to allow people as young as 16 to be treated at the gender clinic, as I was told they didnt want anyone to go through the long wait I had!
Ahhh, I was so frustrated, but atleast I was on my way. I tried to really push for them to accept all or any of my evidence of having lived as male for years, but to no avail.
At the same time, Id met on different occasions, 3 different ftms. 2 younger than me, and 1 the same age, all had "come out" years after me, and all got T before me. So this showed me how there does seem to be such a vast difference between how quickly or not, people can get on T. But as horrible as it feels at the time, once youre on T and getting on with your life, things become so much easier and you can forget about those stresses.
As, now Im on T, the stresses of this have faded out now, thankfully.