Yesterday, my psychiatrist called to inform me that I could drive down for an appointment, but that she didn't feel competent to support me with my gender issues. Today, I did the drive, was expecting very little, preparing for the worst and...

came away with a formal GID diagnosis and a referal to a trans-friendly endo. The world works in mysterious ways.

Maddy, Officially Dx'd

Awesome, glad to hear!

Quote from: learningtolive on August 22, 2013, 11:29:59 PM
Awesome, glad to hear!

Thanks LTL! I'm currently feeling exuberant.

Quote from: Joules on August 22, 2013, 11:31:50 PM
Nice Maddy, keep going with some therapist support in the future.  Transition can be a bumpy road at times

I have a few irons in the fire in terms of ongoing transition support. There is a trans-friendly psychologist in Saskatoon who is might take me on himself and might recommend a colleague. The psychiatrist also offered to continue monitoring me. She's willing to help me in terms of general mental health support, but is quick to voice the caveat that GID is not her area of specialization.

Maddy: giddy, exhausted, and probably not making much sense

Quote from: Fairy Princess with a Death Ray on August 22, 2013, 11:37:25 PM
I have a few irons in the fire in terms of ongoing transition support. There is a trans-friendly psychologist in Saskatoon who is might take me on himself and might recommend a colleague. The psychiatrist also offered to continue monitoring me. She's willing to help me in terms of general mental health support, but is quick to voice the caveat that GID is not her area of specialization.

Maddy: giddy, exhausted, and probably not making much sense

Sounds like a good plan.  It's good to have someone there throughout your transition.

Quote from: Fairy Princess with a Death Ray on August 22, 2013, 11:37:25 PM
I have a few irons in the fire in terms of ongoing transition support. There is a trans-friendly psychologist in Saskatoon who is might take me on himself and might recommend a colleague. The psychiatrist also offered to continue monitoring me. She's willing to help me in terms of general mental health support, but is quick to voice the caveat that GID is not her area of specialization.

Maddy: giddy, exhausted, and probably not making much sense

For those of us outside of major metropolitan areas, finding a specialist is at times difficult.  Count yourself lucky!

Quote from: Fairy Princess with a Death Ray on August 22, 2013, 11:24:37 PM
Yesterday, my psychiatrist called to inform me that I could drive down for an appointment, but that she didn't feel competent to support me with my gender issues. Today, I did the drive, was expecting very little, preparing for the worst and...

came away with a formal GID diagnosis and a referal to a trans-friendly endo. The world works in mysterious ways.

Maddy, Officially Dx'd

Thats kinda how i got my first GID diagnosis. The therapist i was working with helped me more with my major depression and trying to deal with how my world felt crashing around me. After a few months he said that with research he feels i was experiencing profound gender dysphoria.

Glad things are working out and moving forward now. One more step forward.
Izz

I just think the idea of having someone else tell me exactly how I've felt for years is kinda redundant; and rude. Having it being a mental disorder makes me feel like it's somehow a fault that each of us carry. Much like how I feel about my ADHD; ICD and mild OCD. But besides that; I am so happy for you. I have my first meeting on Thursday so I am beyond nervous right now...

Quote from: Allison on August 25, 2013, 09:25:45 PM
I just think the idea of having someone else tell me exactly how I've felt for years is kinda redundant; and rude. Having it being a mental disorder makes me feel like it's somehow a fault that each of us carry.

I agree with you. I don't like the idea that I have to be diagnosed to access services. That being said, the system being what it is, I'm thrilled to be diagnosed.

Also for what it's worth:

1) the Standards of Care are very clear about depathologization, so it isn't a 'mental disorder' that we're being diagnosed with.

2) my Psychiatrist was very clear, from the outset, that she didn't not view her role as questioning or doubting my experience. She came very close to suggesting that, in her opinion, GD patients diagnose themselves.

Best of luck with your appointment and try not to go in expecting to be judged!

Maddy

I know that I was and still am more knowable than any therapist that I have seen about  being transgender. Since I have been one all my life. They have admitted as much to me.   Good luck it will still be a bumpy ride at times. As is life in general.