I had my third meeting with the GID clinic today and unfortunately that have discharged me. They said I definitely had gender dysphoria but they won't accept me on the care path way yet because I have other mental health issues. They have referred me to another team where I can see a psychologist and get a proper diagnosis and proper help.

I'm currently with a team that deals with psychosis but with the three years I've been with them they have never given me a real diagnosis. They always told me I had symptoms of psychosis but never gave me a specific diagnosis e.g schizophrenia, bipolar disorder etc. Also they've never given me any medication to deal with these issues So now I have to spend possibly a year with this new service getting a diagnosis and some real help before the gender clinic allow me back.

So needless to say I'm pretty heartbroken as by the looks of things it's gonna be 2-3 years before I start T and it's horrible. I was hoping to be on T this time next year but it looks like I'm gonna be stuck in this disgusting female body for a lot longer than I had hoped.

I'm sorry to hear that, MRH. Work on the things that need changing in the meantime. Your day will come. 

MHR, I am so sorry to hear that.  My heart goes out to you.  If you would like, you can private message me and we can talk more.  Just remember, you will always find a friend here.

So someone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can't be transgender? That's absurd on the face of it, and a bad thing for you. 

--Jay Jay

Quote from: aleon515 on May 30, 2012, 02:36:11 PM
So someone with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can't be transgender? That's absurd on the face of it, and a bad thing for you. 

I don't think that's what they were saying.  I think that they did provisionally diagnose GID, but if someone has concommitant issues, they want that dealt with first before dealing with the GID aspect.  There's probably a treatment philosophy at work here (deal with everything else so the person in question is in an emotional condition to deal with the trials that come along with transition).

I don't necessarily agree with their treatment sequence - it may very well be that the GID is increasing the severity of the other issues, but it's their call.

MRH, sorry to hear that you've got a longer journey ahead of you than you originally thought, but at least things are progressing in one form or another.  Hopefully the new team helping you can get to the bottom of things quickly.

Cheers everyone. I appreciate your responses. I'm just really fed up of being messed around and this has completely ruined what I had planned for the next few years of my life but I suppose I will just have to accept it and move on.

No they weren't saying if you have schizophrenia or bipolar disorder you can't be transgender. Like Luna Nyan stated they want to deal with those issues first before treating me for GID. They have diagnosed me with GID and have assured me that when I am ready to come back I wont have to go back on the waiting list. They will see me straight away or at least as soon as they can.

They just feel with the amount of stress transitioning will bring if I am not in a good place mentally or don't have a lot of support or stability it might be too much for me to handle and in the long run more damaging for me so it's best I have a better understanding of my current mental health issues and a way of medicating or at least handling them so when  I do transition it will be easier for me to cope with.

I know deep down this makes sense. I'm just infuriated that it's taken me so long to get this far and I never thought for a second there was anyway I could move backwards. I finally got the courage to start living full time as male and now my confidence and happiness has been crushed yet again.

I don't think working to improve your physical/mental/emotional health is ever "bad news."

Sometimes we just have to take it one step at a time.  I wish you the best.

Be patient with your health care professionals,I think they have guide lines to follow.You have a lot of courage.Take one day at a time.You will be at your transistioning soon.Take care & best wishs.
                                                                                                  Ms Rebecca

Quote from: Jamie D on June 01, 2012, 03:47:02 PM
I don't think working to improve your physical/mental/emotional health is ever "bad news."

Sometimes we just have to take it one step at a time.  I wish you the best.

Except for the catch 22 nature of it.

I'm depressed because I'm transgender,  but I can't be treated for being transgender until I'm treated for depression, which will be of limited effectiveness until I deal with being transgender, which i can't until i deal with the depression etc etc etc.

Now I'm not saying that's ALWAYS the case or always the way it is. But I have experienced this sort of catch 22 logic first hand.

You don't deal with cancer by saying you won't treat it until you stop smoking. You treat it while helping the patient to stop smoking.

^^  Agreed

I do understand it.
If other mental illnesses are present, it may be that the GID disappear when the disease is treated.
Because there was no GID in the first place but it this was due to the other mental illness.
There have been people who thought they were Napoleon or something, we can't put them all to st Helena.
They just want to be careful, transition is irreversible.
Of course, it's sad when you are convinced, you have GID and you have to wait until the care people are also sure about that.
But, like Sephira said: it's not a bad thing to improve your health, one step at the time.

Quote from: annette on June 02, 2012, 01:48:31 AM
I do understand it.
If other mental illnesses are present, it may be that the GID disappear when the disease is treated.
Because there was no GID in the first place but it this was due to the other mental illness.
There have been people who thought they were Napoleon or something, we can't put them all to st Helena.
They just want to be careful, transition is irreversible.
Of course, it's sad when you are convinced, you have GID and you have to wait until the care people are also sure about that.
But, like Sephira said: it's not a bad thing to improve your health, one step at the time.

How often does that happen? Really?

Why must the majority be disadvantaged (in the form of having to wait longer for testosterone inhibiting medications, which I remind you testosterones effects can be non-reversable) for the sake of a slim minority?

Transition is irrevesible, but the effects of testosterone through delayed action is also irreversible.

It's a game of numbers and I don't think this situation reflects a fair and just approach.

Yes, this is a very difficult situation.  Waiting is very difficult.  But, if you are healthier when you start it will make the transition that much more enjoyable.  I do agree, the few should not dictate the majority.  But, unfortunately.  With people not taking responsibility for their own actions, it is necessary that all people be treated with a certain level of standards. 
In my opinion, you should follow what the doctors recommend, and try to enjoy the ride.  When you do transition, it should be that much more enjoyable.   

That's really sad. I'm sorry man. I hope you can become stable enough to please them soon.

Quote from: annette on June 02, 2012, 01:48:31 AM
I do understand it.
If other mental illnesses are present, it may be that the GID disappear when the disease is treated.
Because there was no GID in the first place but it this was due to the other mental illness.

The thing is they have said I do have GID and that the GID has nothing to do with my other mental health issues. They are completely separate. Of course they do effect each other just like Asfsd4214 said about the catch 22 thing. My GID will effect my psychosis sometimes and make it worse because of the stress but they are 100% convinced my feelings about myself are true and not born from some delusion.

In all honesty I've had psychosis for nearly 7 years now and I have been dealing with it very well but the gender clinic wants a solid diagnosis because, as I mentioned before, no one has ever said you are schizophrenic, bipolar, etc, they have always just said "you have signs of psychosis" therefore I have never really gotten any proper help with it hence why I am still suffering after 7 years.

Once the gender clinic has evidence of what mental illness I have and can see that I am doing better to understand and deal with it they will gladly accept me back but it just looks like its going to be a really long time.

Quote from: MRH on June 03, 2012, 01:25:54 PM
The thing is they have said I do have GID and that the GID has nothing to do with my other mental health issues. They are completely separate. Of course they do effect each other just like Asfsd4214 said about the catch 22 thing. My GID will effect my psychosis sometimes and make it worse because of the stress but they are 100% convinced my feelings about myself are true and not born from some delusion.

In all honesty I've had psychosis for nearly 7 years now and I have been dealing with it very well but the gender clinic wants a solid diagnosis because, as I mentioned before, no one has ever said you are schizophrenic, bipolar, etc, they have always just said "you have signs of psychosis" therefore I have never really gotten any proper help with it hence why I am still suffering after 7 years.

Once the gender clinic has evidence of what mental illness I have and can see that I am doing better to understand and deal with it they will gladly accept me back but it just looks like its going to be a really long time.

Can you push for a clear diagnosis? Treatment and quality of life are the main goals in diagnosing anyone anyhow, so maybe you could explain to your team that having a diagnosis is vital to your well-being and ability to move forward.

It seems that lots of 'professionals' don't want to admit the possibility that other disorders can be symptoms, and that proper transitioning can lessen, if not completely abolish said symptoms.
Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that these people who are 'helping' you are idiots.

It's easy to say, the professionals are wrong or idiots, but they do have a responsibility.
I can understand why they play it safe, but I also understand it's a deception for you.
We have all been there, and once one is sure about the gid, one will have a treatment asap.
I'm very sorry to hear that you will have a delay in your treatment.
It won't help you but you have my sympathy, I can only hope the treatment will come sooner than expected.

Hugs and hang on.
Annette

I just saw this thread, and wish to pass on my personal best to you as you deal with this newest round of temporary barriers. We must remember that the main word here is indeed "temporary". This too, shall pass and you will be in a better place once you get the proper support and stability needed for your most important part of life.

Sending you warm cyber-hugs,

Dawn

You are a fine young man, MRH. My heart goes out to you for the bad news about delaying T, but at least you have put yourself on the right path.

I grew up with a family member who had a vague psychosis diagnosis, but she advocated for herself and got the treatment she needed, first with combined medication and therapy, later with just therapy and life exercises, finally with just life. She was over 30 when she started.

I'm glad you know who you are, and that you are already seeking treatment for the things that are getting in your way. In the mean time, remember none of that changes that you are already a man, which makes your body a man's body.