Need some input

[Regan]

Ladies,

I have a question about speaking with a psychiatrist. I started on Ritalin about 6 months ago for ADD. My new Dr would like me to see a psychiatrist to make sure there is no other issues, I don't think there are. What I need your help on is should I let them know that I am a cross dresser? Just interested in your opinions.

Thanks

Midwest.

[fran46]

Yes, you should tell your psychiatrist about your crossdressing. Essentially, if you don't reveal all the major dynamics in your life to your therapist, you're wasting your time and your money. Your psychiatrist has to have a clear and complete understanding of your life.

[eluuzion]

Medical and mental health professionals are well trained, but they are not psychics, lol. The more pertinent information you share with them, the more they will be able to help you.

just my opinion...:hugs:

:love:

[Sally24]

I agree. Regardless of whether the CDing is for relaxing or something deeper, your counselor needs to know. Otherwise its like taking your car to a mechanic but not allowing him to turn it on.

[Marleena]

I agree with the others. Besides it could be part of the cause of your condition. Good luck.

[Barbara Ella]

If they are to see the real you to make rational decisions about your future, they must know the real you. You want them to know the real you.

Babes

[docrobbysherry]

Yes! Yes! Yes! (Is THAT enuff characters to post yet?):brolleyes:

[AnitaH]

Been there, done that. I whole heartedly agree with all the others, tell him. It can't hurt and may help.

AnitaH

[Vanessa Storrs]

Whatever you tell your psych is confidential. Your doctor cannot reveal what you have said during your sessions. Tll the truth by all means, you are there to get help and advice your psych needsbto know the truth.

[Regan]

Thanks you everyone, you are all totally correct. I guess I just needed to put my thoughts in writing. I realize that this is a gift along with finding this site. You ladies have come into my life at the right time. Hopefully I can return the favors. By the way I will be changing my name, midwestcd is a little cold, it will be Jackie.vOnce again thanks for everything.

[Ellyn]

Besides telling him about yourself, ask him for advice or information about the use of Ritalin and possible effects it can have on your mental health. Crossdressing, in my opinion, has far fewer risks than many drugs. You should ask some questions about use of the drug, and a way to find out what to ask is to read, "Ritalin Side Effects" from the Physicians' Desk Reference® http://www.adhdtesting.org/ritalin.htm

[Jenniferathome]

Completely unrelated. Irrelevant.

[Krististeph]

Ladies,

I have a question about speaking with a psychiatrist. I started on Ritalin about 6 months ago for ADD. My new Dr would like me to see a psychiatrist to make sure there is no other issues, I don't think there are. What I need your help on is should I let them know that I am a cross dresser? Just interested in your opinions.

Thanks

Midwest.

i saw a therapist about stuff some years ago. He was nice, (my gay-dar pegged him as gay, accurate), professional, and warm without being weird. Withing about 15 minutes, I started talking to him about my crossdressing, basically just jumped into it expecting him to deal with it as a professional. He did, as should any professional. I don't know that it necessarily was an issue in the other things that were bothering me, any more than anything else i feel strongly about but do not advertise to the general public, but it was good to talk about it and say things not normally said. we even bitched about the DSM-IV 'descriptions' regarding transgenderism- and he paid me a wonderful compliment in saying he'd choose me as an advocate for crossdressing any day... (there were some deep feeling on the subject, let's just say). All in all, a very well spend $2.5 per minute.

I would do it sooner rather than later. ADD effects show a brain that is considering many trains of thought, and as a person who must live two (or more) different lives in the aspect of gender in reference to society, this is a part of your psyche. i'd advise reading up A LOT on various aspects of ADD- both adult and juvenile (since we tend to set our thinking patterns in our teens, or even before), and making no large changes while on a medication- and certainly without your therapist's input. A support group membership may help too- for either ADD or CD. Your therapist should be able to guide you to the appropriate people.

Support groups help you find a friend- take it from me- being alone with issues is hard, I have a few, i've been in groups for each- it has NEVER hurt. A little scary at first- and it will open up your mind to things you probably didn't think were there, which can be hard, but homo sapiens sapiens (us, people) are social at heart, and our brains need social contact to help guide some of the crazy, experimental test-ideas that our minds come up with.

Even if you just do it on line (which you should continue to post here, regardless!!), this is a good thing for the part of you that fits your thinking into the rest of the world's.

FWIW- I'm officially an adult diagnosed ADD person, though i force my way through 'regular' society. I'd had dozens of jobs. 6 different career areas. But i am lucky enough to have figured out how to self regulate- i've been HIGHLY successful in 5 of those 6 career areas, hold half a dozen instruction certificates, teach professionally and have taught internally to 5 of those six career areas. The process that makes me ADD makes me able to do so many different things, and to bridge them as well synergistically combine them.

The most important thing right now is that you learn more about yourself- and that your CD is hidden- you need to explore it a bit more, and a therapist is probablly the best choice to start talking with.

You go girl! (PS- tried dressing en-femme once at my therapist- is was too much of a difference for me the first time- but it was still worth it- as i'm even today a bit public-shy about crossdressing!

[calebsmithxd]

Well initially, I was going to say no, I wouldn't mention it as I think it's irrelevant, but the girls here have raised some excellent points, so I can see how sharing makes sense as well.

FYI, I have ADD and used to be on Ritalin when I was a teenager. At some point, I was switched to Adderall and later on I just stopped taking the pills all together. I didn't notice a change on Ritalin, but my mom did. As far as the Adderall goes, I stopped feeling its effects and that's why I decided to stop taking it. I don't like taking medication unless I really feel I have to.

I still have ADD tendencies, but I've learned to live with it.

No matter what happens, I wish you the best.

[rachellegsep]

I found out late in life that I suffer from ADD via my son who is extremely ADHD (looking back my father was also probably ADD as all the signs were there). As a youngster I was just a naughty , disruptive, daydreaming, boisterous child. (there was no name for it back then). I have tried ritalin once several years back whilst studying , wow what a difference. As above I still have the tendancies but have learnt to live with it. Besides the short attention span, short fuse, engaging mouth before brain etc another one of the effects can be a lack of self worth and a feeling of not fitting in. Perhaps this manifests itself in crossdressing as a release. A side issue is that sufferers have a higher than norm tendency to become alcoholics, drug users, smokers etc. I would definately mention your cding to the shrink.

[Shari]

I can't imagine any link whatsoever between ADD and crossdressing. One is not the cause of the other.
If it makes you feel better to "come out" to a psychiatrist, then by all means, do so.
Taking a mind altering drug every day is far more threatening than dressing like a woman. Try to get off that stuff.

[erickka]

I agree. If you don't tell the doctor what ails you, he can't help you.

[kimdl93]

Yes, you need to be honest about your dressing.

[moondog]

I've started looking into therepists who specialise in trans-gender/sexual identification issues to find one that I click with so that I can look into things that are happening with me, I've got one that I like and she's got a lot of experience and I'm hoping I can get an appointment soon. My issues go beyond simply wearing panties or even getting fully dressed. I guess what I'm trying to say is be honest with you medical providers.