Help needed

[lingerieluver]

I have an appointment next month with a psychologist who is going to do an evaluation on me for Transgender. What will/should happen during that session (like what will they ask me, what should I say, etc), and what will happen afterwards if I am diagnosed? In my trans group that I go to once a month, they said that they don't think you necessarily have to be diagnosed, just that you need to tell whoever is evaluating you how you feel...

Thanks. "Lindsey".

[Andy66]

I don'r know specifically about transgender evaluations, but a therapist or psychiatrist pretty much has to give some sort of diagnosis to be able to bill your insurance or get the ball rolling for any medical or surgical treatment you might want. That's why you will be telling him/her how you feel.

[Bree-asaurus]

EDIT: I wasn't sure if you are seeing the psychologist to help you understand or just to diagnose you so you can start or continue transition... so my post is probably worthless if you already know you're TG.

I'm not really sure, so I can't really tell you what's going to happen. I can just tell you what happened when I started seeing a psychologist (who specializes in LGBT issues).

I initially decided it would be a good idea to go see him because I had feelings that something wasn't right about me, that maybe there was something more to my CDing and that I thought there was a possibility that I could be TG. We talked about what bothers me and why, how I feel and understanding why I feel that way. After three or four sessions we started moving away from thinking I'm TG and started focusing on my depression and what I need to do to be happy, and just accepting me the way I am.

Recently those TG feelings resurfaced from underneath my denial and fear and in my last session we covered a lot of ground and not only did I accept more of who I am but also a few things about my past. He told me from the very beginning he isn't here to diagnose me, he is here to help me understand and accept myself so I can be comfortable and happy.

I only have my experience to relate, but I think you're going to have to find out who you are yourself... the doc is only there to help you along your path.

I'm still get scared and still have doubts sometimes, but for me, it's clear as gin.

[lingerieluver]

I'm going there because I want to get started. So then what happens after I say that's what I'm there for?

[GypsyKaren]

Just tell how you feel inside, be open and be honest.

KS

[Hope]

The Dr. will make you comfortable, and then ask you why you are there. After that it is up to you. I would expect that the Dr. will ask you about how you feel and about your history. You tell them about how you feel and about your history.

It's a good idea to be open and honest - and not to be seeking any particular diagnosis. Doctors tend to be intelligent well educated people and have ways of identifying BS, and people who are trying to game the system. Do yourself a favor and try to make the time you are paying for productive for you. If you are transgendered, the Dr. will know, and if you aren't, this is a great opportunity to find that out before you do something expensive and life altering.

I know, I know - you ARE transgendered. So your doctor will easily identify that, and you have nothing to worry about.

[Kaitlyn Michele]

if you are "diagnosed" after one discussion then run away from that person as fast as you can..

its one thing for a therapist to decide in their own head but another to diagnose..a good therapist will help point you towards a self diagnosis with hopefully helpful ideas to achieve your goals.

its just a discussion, nothing can happen or be done to you...i recommend you enjoy the moment, and be totally open and honest while you have the rapt attention of another person:heehee:

[Diane Elizabeth]

I have been going to a therapist for 3 months now, and we talk. She makes her notes and as Gypsykaren says, be honest and say what you feel. There really is no right or wrong answers and no test to pass.

[Jessinthesprings]

My first session was more of a get to know you sort of thing. Basic questions about yourself, family ect ect. She/he should ask you what are your objectives for the counseling are. Be honest. Do not expect a diognosis of your degree of transgenderisim for many sessions, but in the end you will answer that question "Am I transexual?"

If they say they can cure you, and/or pop off any kind of diognosis within several sessions they should be fired and you need to find a new therapist.

[Andy66]

If they say they can cure you, and/or pop off any kind of diognosis within several sessions they should be fired and you need to find a new therapist.
:eek: Not quite. I agree that if they claim they will "cure" you of being transgendered, they're probably a quack. But the fact is, for paperwork purposes only a therapist has to come up with some sort of diagnosis from the very first session or the insurance company will send the bill back to him/her unpaid, saying the information is incomplete. Even if you're paying cash, any smart doctor will write some sort of diagnosis on the paperwork in case there is a need to refer back to it later. The diagnosis will be something fairly generic and meaningless such as possibly "depression." It can be easily changed to something else later. (I worked in the billing/patient records department of a large hospital's "behavioral medicine" department for two years.)

[Jennifer Marie P.]

Just tell them how you feel and you feel more comfortable as a woman and be relaxed and honest.

[EnglishRose]

Yeah, my therapist told me straight out she would file as "depression". I think insurance companies would run a mile if they read "gender issues" :)

[Annaliese]

Tell him how you feel, and be truthful,and don't leave anything out.

[crystalann]

For me I felt transgender issues was something you diagnosis yourself. I had always felt wrong with my own body, seeing a therapist helped me to be able to tell others about myself and that helped me to move forward. I feel you just need to be open and honest about how you feel. Best of luck :)

[lingerieluver]

Thanks to all :)

[Teri Jean]

For me it was a get to know you type of conversation. Later visits we discussed issues more deeply and there was a series of written testing (five hours). Just be yourself and honest in all your discussions.

Teri

[Byanca]

I went to a doctor a month ago, after a friend took me with her. So doctor asked just some generic questions. If I considered myself to be a woman. Then asked for my life story. From the beginning.....that took quite a bit of time....then some psychological tests. And that was that. He wanted me to see a psychologist/sexologist, so there is an appointment for this. He also wrote me a letter for welfare since he didn't think I was fit for work(never had a job, just make a little money on random things to get me by), I did not ask for this. But he said that I should have a better economy to be able to do things.

So no diagnose, he only said that I needed to make some decisions. Something I kinda knew. He though my mind was fine..when I asked, only that I had struggled with this from I was small, and it could be useful to talk to a specialist/psychiatrist. He also said that I was not a hopeless example, when I told him I thought I was. He meant my voice was the most telling. And this I can work on, so all in all, it went fine.

Only thing I noticed was that he very quickly jumped to conclusions when asked about my sexuality, that I like guys. I didn't actually say I did. Only that those encounters had been easier for me. But considered myself more asexual, or curious.

My point to go to the doctor was really just to get some hormones, lighter type. But I didn't get those, all sort of other things seems to have happened. I guess I will see what they agree on after I see the specialist.

[luvSophia]

Just to note, you cannot be diagnosed as being anything trangendered. That is not a medical term, it's a sociological one indicating anyone of a group of people whose gender identity or expression does not conform to society's expectation. (Insert personal rant here) It is an umbrella term whose coverage is so broad as to be close to meaningless. You can be medically diagnosed as having Gender Identity Disorder as that is "officially" described in the DSM. A psychologist/therapist may say that you have gender issues or that you seem to be questioning your gender identity, but that is not the same as a diagnosis.

Anyway, with that disclaimer out of the way, my therapist diagnosed me as being depressed and that is how my insurance is billed. I went into my first session with her already knowing inside that I was a transsexual, but I needed to clarify to myself the degree of it and to make myself comfortable that there wasn't anything else going on. I don't know if she has ever changed her diagnosis, but she did offer to discuss my GID with my employer (which turned out to be unnecessary as I am now unemployed).

And that is the value in seeing a therapist/psychiatrist/psychologist. The answers are already inside you, they are simply trained in helping you discover what they are and making them somewhat cohesive. That's why, as so many have already said, that it is important to go in and just be open, honest, and more importantly, just be yourself. Pretty much all of my sessions have been "getting to know you" ones, they just get more in-depth and cover different areas of what is going on in my life.

[lingerieluver]

Oh I also forgot to mention that I may be pre-diabetic but I'm not sure yet. What is the history of diabetic transsexuals? Are they successful in HRT or...?

[Bree-asaurus]

Oh I also forgot to mention that I may be pre-diabetic but I'm not sure yet. What is the history of diabetic transsexuals? Are they successful in HRT or...?

Oh please please please if you are diabetic, take it very seriously! Don't be lazy about it! My aunt died an early death because she didn't take care of herself and I am watching my sister go down the same path. With everything else you have to deal with, don't slack off when it comes to your health!

[Veronica Nowakowski]

I have an appointment next month with a psychologist who is going to do an evaluation on me for Transgender. What will/should happen during that session (like what will they ask me, what should I say, etc), and what will happen afterwards if I am diagnosed? In my trans group that I go to once a month, they said that they don't think you necessarily have to be diagnosed, just that you need to tell whoever is evaluating you how you feel...

Thanks. "Lindsey".

The first visit will just be information gathering. Don't think too much of it. It will go from there however you and the psychologist think best. I think the "letter" only says that you're informed, not judgemental one way or another.

[idashine]

The thing to understand is it is all about you. So, no matter how I relate to my therapist you will find your own way. Back in the early 80's I tried to find help but was not ready to understand what was being said. Now I find all of our talks a big help and enjoy the direction we are going. Just keep it up and you will find your way.

[Mariah]

As I said many times, Just be yourself and stop worrieing about what will or will not be said.

Mariah