I have ended up feeling confused about where I am on the Gender Spectrum. I had a first diagnosis of being a Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-. This was diagnosed last year by a Psychologist at NHS Gender Identity Clinic. Defined it means 'The real state of a airs was expressed much more aptly in 1989, when Bancroft(3)defined the Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-, - a person who spent part of his life as an, apparently unremarkable, man and part of his life dressing and passing as a woman.' I take Hormones so I am trangendered.

Dual-role transvestism has the following criteria:
• The individual wears clothes of the opposite sex in order to experience temporary membership in   
   opposite sex.
•There is no sexual motivation for the cross-dressing.
•The individual has no desire for a permanent change to the opposite sex.

I went for a second three month appointment, at the NHS run Gender Identity Clinic and was seen by a a separate Psychologist who agreed with the first diagnosis that I am a Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-. I asked him whether I was a Transexual to be clear about where I was on the Gender Spectrum he said, "Not as yet'. Am I right or wrong in thinking that you if you are a TV or TS you cannot be in both camps. As the two conditions have the same symptoms, ie -crossdressing,  but are different.

Back In April I went to see a private specialist who was a post operative Transexual. He told me that I was clearly Gender Dysphoric and a potential Transexual. My concern is and it is probably more a fear then anything that not based on substance. That is if you are Transexuals then you would  tend to see Transexuals in others. Or may be he is right in that I am Gender Dysphoric. This is not the same as being one definately. He refused to label me but said that I should take one step at a time and take as many steps as I felt comfortable with. Until I reached stage where I could go no further and felt uncomfortable.

In having such contradictory diagnosis two Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-s and one Gender Dysphoric Iam not sure who is right. Maybe I should ignore the labels completely and try not to think of any imposed outcome or route to take. Try to live for the moment as being Transgendered Dual Role ->-bleeped-<- until I discover otherwise. From the perspective planning how to deal with it I donot whether to pursue a Transexual solution or a Trangendered one. What do others think on this ?

I think it may be spliiting hairs, Chantelle, but - perhaps more likely - the postop FTM you saw in April may have been trying to tell you that your realization of who you are could change over time. 

NHS.  Hmmm.  That's the UK medical system, right?  Here in the Colonies, I don't hear the term Dula Role Transvetite used.  ->-bleeped-<- seems to be used more to mean gays who cross dress and Crossdresser more for heterosexual males who like to visit the other gender and then come home to be boyfriend, husband, dad.

My gender therapist, a PhD psychologist with more than 10 years of dealing mostly with GID when I began with her explained that crossdressers don't want to change their male bodies and therefore don't take female hormones.

Since you are taking estrogen, the one counselor may be trying to prepare you for a day when breasts develop, libido changes, and you (may) realize that you want to live as a woman rather than as a man, in other words, a transsexual woman.

If I have any advice to give, it would be this:  Continue seeing a gender therapist, be under doctor's care for the hormones, be open to change and unattached to the outcome.  It will then be for the highest good of all concerned.

Quote from: Chantelle on May 07, 2006, 03:48:48 PM
He refused to label me but said that I should take one step at a time and take as many steps as I felt comfortable with. Until I reached stage where I could go no further and felt uncomfortable.

The above advise seams the best to me and is certainly what my theripst is telling me. I also worry that I will become a TS down the track but at this stage I am happy in the CD world. I think you are feeling a common feeling with many people here so just enjoy the present and do not worry about the labels as they only confuse the present and future.

Alice

Quote from: Chantelle on May 07, 2006, 03:48:48 PM
....
I went for a second three month appointment, at the NHS run Gender Identity Clinic and was seen by a a separate Psychologist who agreed with the first diagnosis that I am a Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-. I asked him whether I was a Transexual to be clear about where I was on the Gender Spectrum he said, "Not as yet'. Am I right or wrong in thinking that you if you are a TV or TS you cannot be in both camps. As the two conditions have the same symptoms, ie -crossdressing,  but are different.

There is a possibility that you are in fact transsexual,  but it seems as though they are just being cautious as a wrong diagnosis can have catastrophic consequences.  I believe that there are members here who at first thought they were CD or TV whatever, to realize later that they were in fact TS.  It happens.

QuoteBack In April I went to see a private specialist who was a post operative Transexual. He told me that I was clearly Gender Dysphoric and a potential Transexual.

From my untrained mind in these matters, it would seem that all the therapists you have seen seem to agree.  I have one question though, why was there a need to see the third therapist?

QuoteMy concern is and it is probably more a fear then anything that not based on substance. That is if you are Transexuals then you would  tend to see Transexuals in others. Or may be he is right in that I am Gender Dysphoric. This is not the same as being one definately. He refused to label me but said that I should take one step at a time and take as many steps as I felt comfortable with. Until I reached stage where I could go no further and felt uncomfortable.

I don't believe that being transsexual makes you more aware of other transsexuals around you or gives you an edge in diagnosing TS.  At least I have never seen any proof of this or heard of it.  Based on what you have stated I would agree with your own comment that it is probably "more fear" ... "not substance" and the advice of taking things one step at a time is excellent, and prudent.

QuoteIn having such contradictory diagnosis two Dual Role ->-bleeped-<-s and one Gender Dysphoric Iam not sure who is right. Maybe I should ignore the labels completely and try not to think of any imposed outcome or route to take. Try to live for the moment as being Transgendered Dual Role ->-bleeped-<- until I discover otherwise. From the perspective planning how to deal with it I donot whether to pursue a Transexual solution or a Trangendered one. What do others think on this ?

These are not contradictory diagnosis.  If you look at GID in the Wiki, under Diagnostic Criteria you will see that Dual Role TV is a part of the dysphoria therefore the diagnosis are not contradictory.

Steph

This is off the topic but, Steph - your new photo looks fab.

G

Chantelle

I have always felt it is important to diagnose yourself and accept to a certain degree who you are before you seek outside help because no matter what you tell them they can't get into your head.