Help

I am sorry if this is long or in the wrong thread

I have never posted on here before, but am looking for any help someone might provide. I am a 27 year old biological male who suffers from severe disphoria. I am looking if anyone can provide a qualified psychiatrist/therapist in the DFW (dallas fortworth) area. I want to pinpoint someone who can provide the level of professional help I need as well diagnose the dysphoria I feel. I feel like I may have other issues in need of treatment outside of gender dysphoria, so I want a qualified psychiatrist or therapist who can treat a wide range of issues. I have not been diagnosed before and currently live in secret. I feel that even a simple diagnosis, just to know im not crazy, would be immensely helpful. I have been questioning my gender since I was around 4 and suffering from anxiety for most of my life. I managed to convince those around me that my anxiety is simply ADD, so I have no one I can currently talk to, or even expects I have gender dysphoria. I had planned on managing the dysphoria on my own, so that I could live in secret. Over the past few years Ive notice a severe increase in episodes and currently suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression and random bouts of uncontrollable crying. This past year I started to feel concern when I developed stress related health issues such as a very high blood pressure, chest pain, and even hemorrhoids. I have somehow managed to completely hide this from my family who is extremely trans phobic, so I feel that I can not rely on them for help. The thought of coming out to anyone I know throws me straight into another panic attack. I am writing this today, because for the first time in my life, I am noticing I can not control what ever this is and I am deeply concerned for my life. I just experienced a major panic attack while driving down the highway and almost crashed after I blacked out looking for a place to pull over. Between the sever episodes and suicidal thoughts I know I need help. I don't want to die! As many of you probably know first hand, I am in extreme pain and physical/mental discomfort. I wish I could be content with who I am, but no mater what I do I cant. I hate everything about what I feel. I hate the situation I am in. I would do anything for the pain to stop. I have worked hard to be successful in everything from work to my looks and no matter how well I do I can escape constant pain. I fear coming out would strip me of everything and tear apart my family.

I do not know of a therapist in you area. You can look on-line under Psychology Today and under type of therapist check off trans.

I can tell you I understand the pain and I was there. It has been a long 4 years for me and I can tell you it gets better. You can eliminate the constant pain. Just hang in there and get a gender therapist and start your journey.

Your family will do what they will do and either eventually welcome, accept, tolerate or reject you. Keep the lines of communication open and it will be what it will be.

Find a trans group ASAP and make new friends. Find the community and participate.

Welcome to Susan's Place. What you are after is called a gender therapist. They have special training that includes transgender treatment and can help you work through this. I don't have information on specific therapist but I have found two places to look. In selecting a therapist, you should ask how much experience the have had treating transgender patients and their policy on writing any required letters. If they are unwilling to write letters, they haven't had much experience. These are the places to start looking.
http://www.rcdallas.org
https://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_results.php?city=Dallas&state=TX&spec=187

As you have not been diagnosed, I have a couple of additional links you might find useful. The first is our WIKI where you will learn more about what transgender is. The second is "the transition channel" where a gender therapist will help you explore what you feel. I will be in and out today but feel free to post additional questions on this thread and I will respond to them when I can.

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Thank you Dena,

I know this may be a stupid question, but I am new to all of this. Is there a preference or major difference between a counselor, psychiatrist, and a therapist? Should I look into one over the other? Is there one better qualified for my needs?

I beleive a counselor is someone who talks to you and dicusses plans and strategies to help you whereas a phsyciatrist is kinda similar but mainly prescribes medications!

Search for a transgender alliance or LGBT community in your area. Something that has helped me is my Unitarian Universalist minister and friends from my church. UU is connected to the transgender alliance and part of the LGBT community in my area. You could search for a Unitarian Universalist church in your area and find some people at these places for emotional support. I don't know what I'd do without mine.

QuoteI am a licensed professional counselor and share space with Feleshia Porter, Annemarie St. John, Rachel Berger, Lynn Winstead, and Andrea Cozby.  Our office space is named Life Gets Better Together Counseling (LGBT Counseling for short)!    http://www.renee-baker.com/   Physical address: 3530 Forest Lane, #55, Dallas, TX 75234. 214-607-5620

I consider myself a general practitioner and hence generally work with anyone that comes knocking on my door for assistance. That said, my specialty is working with the LGBT community and especially those going through gender transitions. I am transgender myself, so it is a natural specialty for me.  Gender and sexuality issues are my mainstay, as are alternative ways of living.  I am honored to work with gay, lesbian and poly families.

Sorry to mislead you. I am not a counselor. I just cut and pasted Renee-Bakers add. Looking through the available counselors in Dallas she seemed like the best fit because, she is transgender too.

Moderator Edit: Added quotes to make it easier to understand.

Quote from: user1989 on December 25, 2016, 03:16:39 PM
Thank you Dena,

I know this may be a stupid question, but I am new to all of this. Is there a preference or major difference between a counselor, psychiatrist, and a therapist? Should I look into one over the other? Is there one better qualified for my needs?

A licensed counselor often LCPC typically trains to work through many types of issues with you. They cannot give an official diagnosis for the record but are often great help.
A licensed social worker LCSW can provide a diagnosis for people in most states for many issues.
A psychologist is a PH.D. Who often provides the same counseling services and can usually provide official diagnosis for many issues.
A psychiatrist is a MD medical doctor. Some do offer counseling but many only manage medications for emotional and mental issues.

A general practice MD can give you the official Gender Dysphoria diagnosis. Mine did that for me because he knew I already saw counseling and a psychiatrist. The official diagnosis is needed for insurance to cover many treatments medically available.

I personally see a psychiatrist for anxiety and go to counseling with a licensed social worker.

Quote from: user1989 on December 25, 2016, 07:08:21 AM
Help

I am sorry if this is long or in the wrong thread

I have never posted on here before, but am looking for any help someone might provide. I am a 27 year old biological male who suffers from severe disphoria. I am looking if anyone can provide a qualified psychiatrist/therapist in the DFW (dallas fortworth) area. I want to pinpoint someone who can provide the level of professional help I need as well diagnose the dysphoria I feel. I feel like I may have other issues in need of treatment outside of gender dysphoria, so I want a qualified psychiatrist or therapist who can treat a wide range of issues. I have not been diagnosed before and currently live in secret. I feel that even a simple diagnosis, just to know im not crazy, would be immensely helpful. I have been questioning my gender since I was around 4 and suffering from anxiety for most of my life. I managed to convince those around me that my anxiety is simply ADD, so I have no one I can currently talk to, or even expects I have gender dysphoria. I had planned on managing the dysphoria on my own, so that I could live in secret. Over the past few years Ive notice a severe increase in episodes and currently suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression and random bouts of uncontrollable crying. This past year I started to feel concern when I developed stress related health issues such as a very high blood pressure, chest pain, and even hemorrhoids. I have somehow managed to completely hide this from my family who is extremely trans phobic, so I feel that I can not rely on them for help. The thought of coming out to anyone I know throws me straight into another panic attack. I am writing this today, because for the first time in my life, I am noticing I can not control what ever this is and I am deeply concerned for my life. I just experienced a major panic attack while driving down the highway and almost crashed after I blacked out looking for a place to pull over. Between the sever episodes and suicidal thoughts I know I need help. I don't want to die! As many of you probably know first hand, I am in extreme pain and physical/mental discomfort. I wish I could be content with who I am, but no mater what I do I cant. I hate everything about what I feel. I hate the situation I am in. I would do anything for the pain to stop. I have worked hard to be successful in everything from work to my looks and no matter how well I do I can escape constant pain. I fear coming out would strip me of everything and tear apart my family.

Hi User1989

Many of us here on this site are in similar situations currently or have been there. I can understand your pain and hurt especially knowing that telling someone in your family could lead to some awful outcomes.

First few things to remember are you are OK and you will continue to be OK. This is tough and being Trans is tough. I know your situation may seem hopeless but there is a way forward you just need to see where it currently is...you are not responsible for how other people are feeling...they make a choice to feel the way they do.

I understand how exhausting it can be to keep talking yourself away from the suicidal idealisation. I would encourage you to do something for you...anything so long as you feel better for doing it...be kind to yourself you are not a bad person and you have done nothing wrong.

Finding a therapist, Psychiatrist or counsellor is probably going to help you.

I hope you can get some help and relief soon

Take care

Liz

I have been treated by two different types of care. The first two were a psychiatrist and while they treat transgender people, their strong point is being able to prescribe medication for conditions that require it. If you have conditions other than being transgender, this is a good choice.

The last stop was a psychologist with a therapy group. Because there was no web in those days, the group was invaluable in providing me with the information I needed to transition. That doctor said the difference is a psychiatrist tends to fix what is wrong with you and a psychologist teaches you how to live with what you have.

The reason I mentioned the letter policy is because you may need a letter to obtain HRT and should you decide to have it, surgery. Both doctors can write letters and for surgery, you may need a couple of letters with at least one form a psychiatrist. HRT can be obtained from either.

HRT is important because in the case of a MTF, the brain was formed feminine. The discomfort you are feeling is because high levels of Testosterone and a feminine brain don't go together resulting in dysphoria and depression. One of the drugs  usually given is a Testosterone blocker that can in as little as 2-4 weeks cause a drastic reduction in the discomfort you feel. Should you desire to take this route, a letter should be available in a month or two of therapy. If the doctor requires a year or more before writing a letter, they haven't had much experience working with us.

There is something called low dose where the estrogen levels are maintained at a low level. Some decide to take this approach and continue to present as their birth gender. They do it for many reasons but it can reduce the symptoms sufficiently that they can continue with their life without a transition.

Others like me, prefer to go all the way but you will find both on this site and either way, you are welcome continue exploring yourself here.

At my intake session at my local gender clinic last year they gave me this number to call if I was in crisis and needed to talk to a trans person:

Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860

I wasn't in crisis at the time and didn't really need it, but I do know about crises. I suffered thru 3 in my life and for me, in the end, the answer was quite simple and had been staring me in the face my whole life.  I'm trans.

I have learned, and I can see that you are learning it too, that trying to be too strong is a problem.  Being all alone with this is being too strong.   We all need help sometimes. It's why we keep building emergency rooms.

There is nothing wrong with you.  Reaching out is the way to go. It will get better.

Thank you everyone for being helpful. It means a lot.

All of us were once where you are now and we understand what you are feeling. I suspect some day soon you will be able to pass the favor on to somebody else. For now, just keep asking the questions and get yourself out of the hole you are in.

If you are questioning your feelings or confused by them and want to sort them out your best bet is to find a for real Gender Therapist. One who has a lot of trans clients and knows the ropes. Many therapist in the Psychology Today Doc-Find tick off Gender Issues without really knowing them. A good clue for those to avoid is when you see about EVERYTHING possible is ticked off. A good clue for one who might is then you see pretty much only LGBT related issues as well as the collateral damages of substance abuse, depression and anxiety

In the DFW area I am sure there must be an LGBT center with a gender clinic. At the very least a Trans Only organization or actual active sub-group within some umbrella LGBT group. Trans only is the best resource for all things trans. Also check with your local PFLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays). Many do a good TG outreach and will have good leads for experienced therapist in your area. The DFW one would also be good to check with

Here on Susans is an old thread:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=105727.0

Also the Google revealed:
http://www.rcdallas.org/what-we-do/community/transgender
as the top hit for dfw area gender clinic