would anyone like to share some good or bad encounters  with the psychiatric profession and have these experiences helped or prevented you from further counseling. For my self I've had extremely positive experiences with psychologists and psychiatrists. I had a very mediocre and unhelpful period of time with a psychologist  that put me in a state of trying to solve a problem with out needed help. Other than that experience I been helped a great deal by the profession. They save my life literally. I was just curious because some posts suggest that they've had bad experiences that made them decide the help wasn't beneficial  in the least and they try to solve there own problems because of it.

At one low point in my life I went for help and told a psychiatrist I wanted to step in front of a truck. The only response I got from them was " You know thats against the law right?

Yes, I have two poor experiences.

1974 and 1975, my psychiatrist told me that I could forget about my gender issues and live a "Normal Life".  He thought I could fight my needs to feel and dress as a woman, and not allow those needs to rise up or interfere with my daily routine.  He felt it was a "sexual" thing that I could control.  HE WAS NOT JUST INCORRECT, BUT HE ALSO MESSED UP THE NEXT 40 YEARS OF MY LIFE !

In 2012 I had an incredibly hard time with my health care provider.  My doctor wouldn't refer me to a Psychiatrist or Gender Therapist, and she wanted me to go directly into a group environment.  I was her first ever transgender patient, and she flat out told me Estrogen is for women, and men should never take it.  Then she said Spiro is dangerous and it's never used as I suggested.  When finally I told my doctor I was giving up and ordering E and Spiro off the internet she unwillingly sent a message to the Chief Psychiatrist for Gender related paitients.  If I remember correctly all this took about a month and a half.  And during that time I'd been asked to talk to a family counselor and a behavioral therapist (what a waste).

I had to spend a un-willful stay in the local hospital for a week on the heals of a life harm attempt. First contact i had to see was the psychiatrist that was on duty that day.

First question out of her mouth was i see your are transgender and do you prostitute yourself. WTF. The next day there was another psychiatrist that was more understanding.

Anyway a piece of paper does not make one with all knowledge.

Isabell

I was referred to a psychiatrist at the local hospital,he threatened to section me and said he would never help any transexual.He was also drunk

Overwhelmingly negative.

I was evaluated by the famous Dr. Fred Berlin. He expressed skepticism that I was dysphoric ("I have patients who can't stand up to urinate because their own genitals disgust them", as if that were some standard for transness), recommended that I "slow down my transition" and needed to be better aware of the "devastating consequences for my daughter". As part of his "slow down" recommendation, he said NOTHING about the psychological effects on ME of living a double life before I went full time. His ENTIRE recommendation consisted of trying to protect me and my family from my own desire to transition with NOT ONE WORD of concern for my psychological well-being otherwise.

When he finally pronounced me suffering from Gender Identity Disorder, his tone made it clear that it was with reluctance, and that he was skeptical. During this interview, he raised his voice and wagged a finger at me calling me "irresponsible" because I wouldn't agree to bring my daughter to a psychotherapist until she (my daughter) requested it.

In addition, he insisted upon calling me by my male name and used only male pronouns in his report, despite the fact that I came fully presenting as a female in clothing, appearance and voice.

The interview where this occurred took place in the presence of five other individuals, whom I assume to be psychiatric residents, but to whom I was not introduced. The interview was based on an initial screening by a psychiatric resident who admitted to me that she had worked with only one transgender patient before. The screening started with her calling me Mr. G______ and asking me forty five minutes of questions, NONE OF WHICH had anything to do with my gender. I was asked about my sexual habits and the state of my marriage, but it was only after she declared the screening concluded that I reminded her that she hadn't asked me anything that would have any bearing on whether I was transgender.

I have had mostly positive experiences with psychotherapists & psychologists.

My wife & I did initially go to the therapist we have been seeing off & on for a few years two days after I first admitted to her that I "might need to see someone about my desire to be female".  When I suggested that I go seek out a therapist with experience treating patients for gender issues, he said that that was a good idea & to keep him posted. 

We saw him again two days later.  My wife had just spent 40 hours in the grips of a huge anxiety attack, completely unable to deal with what I had told her.  She had eaten nothing but two small yogurts & had only left her bed once - to go to the bathroom.  As I sat there, he reached in to her with exactly the right words to gently pull her out of her anxiety attack and return to being able to face the world again.  When we left to go home at the end of the session, she was back to her old self.  My wife has been seeing him each week since, and I join her on days when I am not seeing my gender therapist.  I found my therapist through Dr McGinn's website & have been seeing her once most weeks for over a year now.  I find that by now we spend most of our time addressing issues other than gender.  My hoarding is a much bigger threat to my marriage than my gender identity.  I also seem to have quite a few autism-spectrum behaviours that are becoming more problematic.  The cover-ups that used to hide them have not been working very well over the past few years.

When at a routine visit to my urologist last year, she noticed that my depression was particularly bad and was strongly recommended to see a psychiatrist who could prescribe medication.  (One of the reasons I trust my urologist is the fact that she does not mince her words - she is very direct.)  She said quite bluntly that many who suffer from untreated depression as badly as I was at that time tend to commit suicide.  She followed up on that by making sure I did actually make & keep an appointment with a psychiatrist. 

As it happens, the psychiatrist I chose was very much accustomed to patients who saw him as nothing more than a dispensary for whatever meds they wanted.  He did not seem to realise that I was unlike his usual patients in that I did not want any medication unless absolutely necessary.  He was half-way through writing a script for an anti-depressant I had been on before (that I had stopped because it wasn't helping) by the time I managed to pull my pre-printed list of current medication out of my pocket & give it to him.  The entire consultation lasted a bit less than 10 minutes.  This seemed short for an initial consultation.  The anti-depressant gave me a bad case of serotonin syndrome & I had to stop after a week.  I failed to appear for my follow up appointment.  Mostly due to a lack of trust.

My wife was sent to a psychiatrist who specializes in treating cancer survivors with PTSD-like symptoms after she went through several tests & specialists panicking about having cancer again last month (it turned out to be an infection).  I went with her.  The psychiatrist asked many excellent questions and alleviated much of my wife's distress even in that one session.  Upon hearing something of my story (trans, ADD, autism-spectrum, addict, etc.), she recommended I see one of her colleagues who specializes in childhood ailments.  I made the appointment for this morning & met with her.  It was a very encouraging start and I am hopeful that some of the issues that continue to hold me back will finally be addressed.  I felt good when she told me that I was giving her a lot of hope about what her younger patients could overcome with how well I seemed to be getting through all the childhood issues I had survived (the list above is incomplete).  She said it in a way that complimented how I am dealing with the issues while also acknowledging that the issues are real and do exist.  This is in stark contrast to how the adults in my life responed to me when I was a child/teen.  They always assumed that if I could make something look good, that that meant the problem was gone forever.

Note that none of these mental health practitioners had any experience dealing with a trans person (except the gender therapist).  I received some questions that revealed that lack of experience, but I did not meet with any intolerance or unwillingness to address whatever issue was presenting itself.  My experience so far with non-trans-aware health practitioners in general has been positive in that regard.  None have refused to treat me (although it take me a little time to train my GP  ), and all have shown a willingness to learn whatever they need to know in order to continue treating me as their patient.  Maybe it's something about me, but it's more likely something to do with the fact that I live in Philadelphia.


That was a much longer ramble than I thought it was going to be.  I hope someone finds something useful there   

Be well,

Tessa

I would say the worst one I had.. Was with a therapist who had no way to help me. and no way to suggest help within my health care group. Other than the local Q Center..


The best one I had with my actual therapist (Until she had to leave the area).. Although it wasn't an AMAZING experience. Because, her honest opinion was that I was completely mentally healthy.. and capable of starting HRT. We had less and less time together after a few sessions we both decided I had no real need to see her and she remained as a resource for a few other things.

OMG, what horror stories I'm reading here!

I am SOOO glad I was able to do some research before I found the help I got.  I found a "trans whisperer" therapist who set me up with a trans-friendly endo and a psychiatrist who specializes in trans issues.   I was able to get the right help the first time.   I am so grateful to live in Los Angeles!

I also found a very good therapist and she was worth every penny I paid for her services and then some. No crap and no flap and straight on the money every time.

I disagreed with her about a few things early on but learned she was right and I was wrong so I stopped doing that lol....

After reading the horror stories here I realize that I am very lucky to live in the L.A. area and to have access to such a good doctor and therapist.

I wish that everyone had the same access to qualified medical help and that these quacks would go away.

Here's my horror stories. (not all gender related)
I was doing badly in grade school. The school board sent in a psychologist who determined I was slow. They put me in special Ed. As the other kids ate crayons, I read Faulkner. The teacher sent me to NYC to be tested. I was in the upper 3% IQ. They suggested I skip a year.

I began having some issues with gender. I assumed that being feminine just meant I was gay. My parents sent me to the psych dept. of a Catholic hospital. These Einstiens told me to knock it off with the gay stuff or I'd go to hell for sure. They suggested to my parents I get involved with Church ALL BOY activities. (For being gay!)

I asked a school councilor about seeing a psychiatrist as I felt I was transgender. At a meeting he explained the gender binary, and told me I was screwed. This being the 70's, I told him about new 'sex change operations' going on overseas. He sent me to a specialist in NYC who turned out to be another psychiatrist whom I swear couldn't find his own gender with a flashlight. He told me sex change was 'science fiction'.

As an adult, and living in Toronto, I went to the Clark Institute of psychiatry, Canada's gender specialists. I filled out the forms from hell, and a year later, I got the good news that I could have an intake assessment in two years.

Last year I found a GOOD, compassionate therapist that got me of HRT in six weeks, including her going on vacation. She was terrific, and I still speak to her sometimes. There IS a silver lining.

yes there is a silver lining but sadly some times it take a foot out the door to find it.

I've seen more psychiatrists and been on more types of antidepressant than I can remember. Only twice have I had a good result.

The first time was back in '85. I was suffering from OCD which had become so severe that I would take a couple of hours checking locks, the oven and power points before I could sleep. I also was no longer able to drive because I kept driving around in circles to check that I hadn't caused an accident or run someone over and then blacked it out. The psychiatrist I was seeing tried hypnotherapy and he tried to get me to just resist the impulse to check things without success. Then he changed my medication to Annafranil plus Stellazine and gave me the usual spiel about how it would be a couple of weeks before I could expect any result. He was wrong - I was cured a couple of days after my first dose.

The second time was just a couple of years ago. I had been unemployed for over a year and was under threat of having my unemployment benefits cut if I didn't start attending interviews. The problem was that my social phobia had progressed to the point where I could not attend an interview. Centrelink then referred me to a mental health worker who in turn referred me to a psychiatrist. I didn't hold out much hope as I had consulted so many psychiatrists about this and my depression over the previous 25 years or so and tried almost every antidepressant available with no effect. But this time I was prescribed a very old antidepressant (Parnate) that is rarely used anymore because of its potentially lethal interaction with certain foods. I had actually taken it many years before with no result but this time was different. Within a few days I was able to line up several interviews and was employed within two weeks. It hasn't cured my condition but has alleviated it to the point that I can at least function at work. And post on message boards.

Quote from: debpossible on February 24, 2014, 07:13:08 AM
I've seen more psychiatrists and been on more types of antidepressant than I can remember. Only twice have I had a good result.

The first time was back in '85. I was suffering from OCD which had become so severe that I would take a couple of hours checking locks, the oven and power points before I could sleep. I also was no longer able to drive because I kept driving around in circles to check that I hadn't caused an accident or run someone over and then blacked it out. The psychiatrist I was seeing tried hypnotherapy and he tried to get me to just resist the impulse to check things without success. Then he changed my medication to Annafranil plus Stellazine and gave me the usual spiel about how it would be a couple of weeks before I could expect any result. He was wrong - I was cured a couple of days after my first dose.

The second time was just a couple of years ago. I had been unemployed for over a year and was under threat of having my unemployment benefits cut if I didn't start attending interviews. The problem was that my social phobia had progressed to the point where I could not attend an interview. Centrelink then referred me to a mental health worker who in turn referred me to a psychiatrist. I didn't hold out much hope as I had consulted so many psychiatrists about this and my depression over the previous 25 years or so and tried almost every antidepressant available with no effect. But this time I was prescribed a very old antidepressant (Parnate) that is rarely used anymore because of its potentially lethal interaction with certain foods. I had actually taken it many years before with no result but this time was different. Within a few days I was able to line up several interviews and was employed within two weeks. It hasn't cured my condition but has alleviated it to the point that I can at least function at work. And post on message boards.

yea, I was on stellazine for a short time a long time ago

I was referred to a gender therapist when I did my intake at the Mazzoni Center in Philly. I was "fragile" and Alison Wortman at the Willaim Way LGBT Center was amazing. I saw her for a year and now see Elizabeth Byrne, for the past month. I am so glad Mazzoni is there and Alison and now Elizabeth.

I had to do a phone interview prior to Alison accepting me as a patient. I was in a panic, if she did not accept me as a patient then I think that would have been it. She had called me while I was driving. I pulled over and called her back. I was in such a poor frame of mind then.

I literally had a war in my mind and there was a lot of pain. Alison, understood and she was an ally and helped me to address (some cases relive) each item or issue.

I would say I had had and have fantastic therapy sessions.

Quote from: stephaniec on February 24, 2014, 10:19:10 AM
yea, I was on stellazine for a short time a long time ago

Did it help?

Quote from: debpossible on February 25, 2014, 05:17:26 AM
Did it help?

To be honest I was being treated  because I had a severe addition to LSD and I was going to school at the time. I can't really say if it helped or not because I was quite psychotic from all the LSD , so if it did help I didn't notice.

I lurve my therapist, she's so nice, I think she's way more supportive of my transition than I am though... lol. It doesn't matter too much though bc we don't usually talk about that.

Quote from: sad panda on February 25, 2014, 12:35:01 PM
I lurve my therapist, she's so nice, I think she's way more supportive of my transition than I am though... lol. It doesn't matter too much though bc we don't usually talk about that.

yea , mine is happy for me for transition , but we rarely discuss it. when we do discuss the gender issues it more about genetics.

Quote from: kathyk on February 20, 2014, 09:36:53 PM
In 2012 I had an incredibly hard time with my health care provider.  My doctor wouldn't refer me to a Psychiatrist or Gender Therapist, and she wanted me to go directly into a group environment.  I was her first ever transgender patient, and she flat out told me Estrogen is for women, and men should never take it.  Then she said Spiro is dangerous and it's never used as I suggested.  When finally I told my doctor I was giving up and ordering E and Spiro off the internet she unwillingly sent a message to the Chief Psychiatrist for Gender related paitients.  If I remember correctly all this took about a month and a half.  And during that time I'd been asked to talk to a family counselor and a behavioral therapist (what a waste).

I am so sorry for you. Your story is similar to that of my own. A psychologist referred me to a psychiatrist who works with my cities health care center (run by well known McGill university). This man, a Mr. Pierre Assalian did everything he could to convince me that I should not transition while asking embarassing and uncomfortable questions in front of a bunch of students (8?) taking notes (How professional!) He ended the interogation by bringing me to his office (alone) and telling me that he runs a program that he thought could help me. This program involved bi weekly group meetings where conversations were discussed amongst other self identified trans people. The two people running the discussion were a Helen Cote and Christiane Dufour. No hormones until THEY and the person who referred me (Assalian) agreed. People were in this program for years without HRT, being denied several times. I felt as though I was being bullied by these people. After a wasted two and a half (3?) months I resorted to self medding and left the program. Leaving felt like I was abandoning a cult. Did they really think they were doing good? Conversations in therapy almost always involved "transition regret" stories. Agendas were pushed by questionable facts ( Ms Cote, for example, told me that HRT almost does nothing and may not even be worth taking).

Anyhow, I got in contact with other transpeople (thank you internet!) and realized that I deserved better than to be bullied for my money, found appropriate mental health professionals, and got what I needed for myself mentally (and physically!). The psychologists and psychiatrists I dealt with after were very professional and I genuinely benefited from therapy. When pressed about their opinion on the transition program I was once in they would say I am not the first person to have brought this up with them.

Right now, I haven't seen a mental health professional in over a year and I am kind of in a "downer" so I am keen on speaking with someone however my past experiences make me apprehensive when seeking out help.