Okay, uh, I was wondering why no one had a single piece of advice for me since I posted my blog entry, but then I realized : people do not read blogs all that much. I'm not accusing anyone of anything ; I do not follow blogs much either.

But I need help kind of fast, so even if this is cross-posting in a way and that I do not like this, I am asking in a more popular section, hoping to get answers. Here is a quote from my last blog post.

Quote from: A on January 18, 2011, 04:50:35 PM
Psychiatrist in one week

Okay, so the big date, January 25th, is exactly one week away. I am terrified. I have already met this psychaitrist, but not for transsexualism. I want him to understand that I need HRT as fast as possible, ideally immediately. How do I do this ? Should I print stuff out from this forum ? There is no skill I have less than convincing people !

Blood tests done

Like I said in this post, at my last appointment with dr R, I asked for a prescription for blood tests so that HRT can be prescribed as fast as possible if the doctor wants to. Like the members here suggested, I went yesterday, exactly one week before the appointment, and made it clear that dr L, the specialist, had to get the results. What else can I do ? I really want to maximize my chances :x.

Started school

Yeah, tomorrow was my first day. I have 12 hours of class a week ; I only have school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Class list :

-English language and literature (the English class that makes us do more advanced English literature than we have ever done in French, our mother language)
-Literature and imaginary (the easy French class I have already done for the biggest part before quitting with a depression)
-Volley-ball (self-explanatory)
-The human (boring philosophy)

This will be easy. In theory. In practice, gender dysphoria gets exponentially worse when at school. I'm a freaking time bomb and I do not know how my timer was set. When it goes off, I will stop school AGAIN and fall even lower in depression. The only one who can prevent an explosion is the psychiatrist.

Sorry if this appears as "attention-whoring", but I'm pretty much in a panic state right now.

What, specifically, do you need help with? The quoted post is a little vague.

About the psychiatrist. My appointment is next week and I want it to go well. It might be one of the biggest turning points of transition after all.

Quote from: A on January 20, 2011, 05:52:20 PM
About the psychiatrist. My appointment is next week and I want it to go well. It might be one of the biggest turning points of transition after all.

- Be yourself.
- Write down a list of the points you want to raise, to remind you of what you're there for. Refer to those points if you feel lost during the session.
- Be honest.

I think you need to understand that in general very few therapists will prescribe HRT on the first visit. To do so rides a coach and horses all over the WPATH standards of care documents which I believe require that you have been in therapy for your gender issue for at least 3 months before starting.

I do know of a FEW people who have managed it, but they are rare, and in general I would observe that people who seem to be in too much of a hurry tend to make therapists nervous. You see they worry that if you do something in a rush, you may regret it just as quickly.

So I have to say that I think you will just have to do what pretty well all of us do and play a waiting game.

There are a FEW therapists who will prescribe HRT on the basis of informed consent. If yours is one of them then you may be in luck, but if not then there is not much you can do.

As regards how to play it, the only answer I can give is "Be honest!" This is your life we are talking about and the only way to get a good result form therapy is honesty. Sure you can tell the therapist what you want, but you also have to be prepared to answer their questions truthfully, and to work with them, rather than demanding things which they may not be willing to give.

I totally agree with both of the ladies.

Well, my CPATH sheet does say that the only requirement for HRT is "informed consent". Nothing else is mentioned.

In which case you are probably in luck.

Just prove you aren't nuts by answering his questions honestly and truthfully and explain to him what you would like to do.

Well, convincing him that I'm not nuts might be hard, because I was in a therapy with him for a depression a couple of months ago... Plus, at the first meeting (I did not know he had anything to do with transition issues) I told him I was transsexual, and when he told me to explain, I said "don't worry about it too much" and quickly switched the subject. It was a group therapy, and I was definitely uncomfortable with telling strangers about this...

A.

If everyone who has ever had depression was nuts, then everyone would be nuts, including your psychiatrist.

I'm really pleased you are seing a psychiatrist, rather than a psychologist. He will be a medical Dr as well. He will be governed by an internationally recognised code of ethics. He will deal with you according to a set standard.

As others have said, relax, be yourself. be honest.

And believe me when I say, I've read a number of your posts and you don't seem to be nuts to me at all.

I don't want to sound negative here, but I would recommend staying as far away from a psychiatrist as possible. I've heard many stories of wasted months with these people; I've fired three of them. They tend to see Transsexuality as just another mental defect. I'm sorry, but even if he does eventually give you an approval letter, it won't be for months. You need to find a gender therapist. There are many here who can help you do that (including me) so ask around and do the research.

  Beginning transition involves being evaluated then diagnosed with Gender Identity Disorder. Unfortunately, that's a diagnosis that can't really be made in one visit. I know you want to get going but you won't be able to start until a therapist says you can... and that's a minimum of 3 months of therapy. There's really nothing you can say that will get your psych to authorize hormones in one visit.

  It'll happen, but it won't happen as fast as you want it to.
 

Whether or not I am doing the right choice, I have no choice actually. This one psychiatrist is the only one who can help me around here. Gender therapists do not even exist here. Plus, this is a public system. You cannot just "fire" a therapist or doctor, let alone choosing anything.

Quote from: Vexing on January 20, 2011, 05:55:00 PM
- Be yourself.
- Write down a list of the points you want to raise, to remind you of what you're there for. Refer to those points if you feel lost during the session.
- Be honest.

While I've never bee to one, I totally agree with this list.  And be sure to stay calm, and stand your ground.  While they are professionally trained doctors, psychiatry isn't necessarily an "exact science" in my own opinion, hence, the differences in the way doctors treat transpatients the world over.

Perhaps ask your doctor if he/she is aware of the Harry Benjamin Standard of Care?  That would be a good gauge as to how this doctor looks at things.

And lastly, be patient.  You have the appointment.  The ball will just start rolling from there.

Oh, by the way...


GOOD LUCK!

*two snaps in a "Z" formation*

Quote from: A on January 20, 2011, 05:52:20 PM
About the psychiatrist. My appointment is next week and I want it to go well. It might be one of the biggest turning points of transition after all.

How well it goes depends more on your psychiatrist then you.  If you live in a populated area at all, go to one who has experience with trans patients.

I'm a little concerned in that you seem like you want to game the system and seem a little obsessive plus aren't really willing to talk about it?  Go to an experienced therapist who you trust and be honest.  A good one will be able to help you with all kinds of issues that might give you patience and a better quality of life immediately.   

I was miserable and obsessive about transitioning, had Internet addiction, and didn't work for months in my twenties.  Ten years later I have an amazing life and feel like I have the freedom to transition any time and express myself as I please. 

Well, I am trying to get a therapist. But the waiting list is long, apparently. And I cannot possibly pay the fortune private psychologists ask for.

This psychiatrist is actually the only one in the region who has any experience with trans issues. He was referred to me by another psychiatrist.

About "playing" with the system : Well, I kind of feel I have to fight to get what I want. I have been out to health professionals for more than a year and nothing has happend even if I have been asking often.