Psychiatrist or therapist?

[whowhatwhen]

Which is a better bet when it comes to dealing with CD/TG issues?
I have a psychiatrist now but I'm not sure I would be comfortable talking to him about how I feel.

I feel terrible as I'm definitely stereotyping based on his age, but on the other hand it's covered.
Therapists are not covered by my provincial health insurance (IIRC) and I could not afford it even if I found one I felt I could trust.

The world's smallest violin plays for me I know, but I keep thinking over and over and asking myself questions I cannot answer.

[Marleena]

Gender therapist for CD/TG issues. Your psychiatrist might be able to help a bit with this although it's beyond his training. Keep in mind you only need a gender therapist if you are having trouble dealing with being TG. This has been my experience with it. I have not seen a gender therapist, but a psychiatrist for dealing with a work injury and fighting with Worker's Compensation. I have new appointment this month where I'll tell him I'm TG, it can't hurt anything.

[KellyJameson]

A Psychiatrist tries to change the mind by changing the brain and a Therapist tries to change the brain by changing the mind. You are your own best therapist because you live with your own mind so a good therapist will help you become a better therapist to yourself.

The body and the mind are not separate so good body health is critical to good mental health. We forget to protect the body and so the mind suffers, to love is to protect, love yourself above all else. This is what therapy shows us when it is successful.

[whowhatwhen]

I think it's getting to the point where I need to tell someone since I'm honestly having a hard time telling if my thoughts and feelings are real, or an overcompensation due to repression.
I do know however, they are not something a normal man would be thinking of.

Wanting to CD is one thing, thinking that I'd welcome ED with open arms is another...

[Marleena]

I think it's getting to the point where I need to tell someone since I'm honestly having a hard time telling if my thoughts and feelings are real, or an overcompensation due to repression.
I do know however, they are not something a normal man would be thinking of.

Wanting to CD is one thing, thinking that I'd welcome ED with open arms is another...

Your psychiatrist might refer you to the Canadian Mental Health Association for free counselling. They have free programs (government sponsored) that might be able to help you.

[Laura912]

Either a psychiatrist or therapist experienced in gender issues can help. Just ask your psychiatrist if he has had any experience in those areas. Some psychiatrists (all psychiatrists are MDs or DOs) will be a little quicker to prescribe medications but they also understand the meds. Therapists cannot prescribe meds (at least in US) but are generally assoc with someone who can. Therapists tend to talk and listen more before going the med route. Psy will go the med route a little quicker but only if needed. Do not be afraid to change psychiatrists if you need to.

[Stephanie-L]

In my experience, most psychiatrists talk to you for a few minutes and then write you a prescription that will change they way your brain works. Most therapists talk to you for the full hour (or whatever time) and then may or may not write you a prescription that may help you deal with what is bothering you. Is CD or TG a problem for you, do you want to try and stop? It is unlikely you will ever totally get rid of the urges/feelings, but I have heard of some who do have luck with meds, in that case try a psychiatrist. If you want to understand your CD/TG issues, get over any issues like guilt, and get on with your life, go to a therapist. Can you tell I am a bit biased, I have embraced my TG self, and doubt I would be happy trying to repress her with meds. I do find it odd that your insurance will pay for a psychiatrist but not a therapist, the therapist is usually much cheaper. I would bet that the board of people at your insurance who decide which practicioners you can see is dominated by physicians, they usually have a bias against any non-physician healthcare unless they fully control them. Good luck to you....Stephanie

[whowhatwhen]

It is weird eh?
But unless something changed only phsychiatrists are covered by the provincial health insurance plan (OHIP), which is really unfortunate. I suppose I can't really complain though, as it has kept me alive this far. :D
What I'm really after is finding out how deep the rabbit hole goes, I'm hoping that some thoughts will back down if I have a therapist to talk to.

I know it's not going away, I've tried ignoring it but the questions always float back.
:P

[Miriam-J]

I'm surprised that the provincial health insurance program doesn't provide the same support for therapists as it does for psychiatrists, especially since therapists are generally much lower in cost and easier to schedule.

My personal experience with psychiatrists is that they tend to be too quick to medicate, and spend far too little time working things out through discussion. A good therapist who understands your issues can be of far more value to you even without accounting for the difference in monetary cost.

Miriam

[Marleena]

The CMHA can help in this regard as I stated. They can find you TG support groups and free counselling in that regard. There are free TG resources and programs across Ontario.

[whowhatwhen]

The CMHA can help in this regard as I stated. They can find you TG support groups and free counselling in that regard. There are free TG resources and programs across Ontario.

Thank you, I must've missed that last night due to brain friedness.

I'm going to look into it for the councelling but I'm not sure of going to a support group for two reasons:
a) I would have to tell my family, I mean, it would be pretty hard to hide that.
b) Since I can only present as male at the moment it might make others there feel uncomfortable or give the wrong impression as to why I would be there.

This was a longer post but the forum ate it.
o_O

[Marleena]

Thank you, I must've missed that last night due to brain friedness.

I'm going to look into it for the councelling but I'm not sure of going to a support group for two reasons:
a) I would have to tell my family, I mean, it would be pretty hard to hide that.
b) Since I can only present as male at the moment it might make others there feel uncomfortable or give the wrong impression as to why I would be there.

This was a longer post but the forum ate it.
o_O

NP.lol. It sounds like a difficult situation for you. I'm sure they've come across these things before and could acommodate you (sp?).

[JamieTG]

I see both and although the psychiatrist knows I'm TG, he only manages my medications. A psychologist trained in gender issues is the way to go for talk therapy.

[giuseppina]

I see your location is listed as Toronto. Whatever you do, stay away from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. I don't remember their names at this minute, but two well-known practitioners of widely discredited reparative therapy practise there. Just remembered: one of them is Dr. Kenneth Zucker.

[whowhatwhen]

I too remember reading bad things about them, I checked CMAH too but they had nothing about TG.
Luckily I know better than to think this is ever going away. :P

Oddly enough I do feel a bit unmotivated now, maybe due to fear?
I can't keep going to a therapist hidden, especially if I try to hide it. (if that makes sense)

[Bree-asaurus]

If you are having gender issues, talk to a therapist that deals with gender identity. If you're trying to discover who you are, then you need someone you can TALK to... and that's what therapists are for.

You can find a doctor or psychiatrist for anti-depressants if necessary. If you find you are transexual and your therapist says your ready for HRT, then you search for a psychiatrist or doctor that can prescribe and monitor this.

[Marleena]

Try here for your area, WWW. I'm sure they can help somehow. http://www.the519.org/programsservices/the519anti-violenceprogram/counsellingservices

[whowhatwhen]

If you're trying to discover who you are, then you need someone you can TALK to... and that's what therapists are for.


That is basically the biggest issue as I can find arguments on both sides of the fence and keeping it to myself is becoming more stressful.
I mean, I visit here an insane amount of times per day checking for new posts and trying to learn/relate/ect but it's not a good enough substitute.

Still, on the other hand seeking help is going to have family asking questions.
Those questions, I don't have the answer to.

Thanks Marleena, I'll keep the 519 in mind - I must've missed that page on their site.
I'm not a good navigator. :P

Edit:
I just had another thought, what if I would be wasting their time?
I mean, I haven't even seen myself as a girl yet - how can I even know it's all just in my head?

The latest thought is if I really needed help that bad, I would've at least begged, borrowed, and stolen to experience and at least see my feminine side?
Damn, this is confusing as hell as I know something is there but the what is driving me insane.

[kimdl93]

Here's the deal - a psychiatrist is a medical doc specialized in psychiatry, and as such in the states can prescribe. So, if you're facing anything requiring medication, a psychiatrist will be involved. However, they may not do therapy. First of all, their time is a lot more expensive, and often that's not thier clinical focus. So, mine, as an example referred me to a psychologist for regular therapy and met with me perhaps on a monthly or quarterly basis, and communicated with my psychologist to see how things were going.

Neither is necessarily equipped to deal with CD/TG issues. That comes frome either training or experience.

[whowhatwhen]

I do have a psychiatrist though, he does perscribe me antidepressants but I haven't been back in a few months.
Also I don't feel like I would be able to trust him enough to tell him any of this regardless.

Here in Ontario psychiatrists are covered so I've never needed to pay.

[Marleena]

www you're starting to confuse me.lol. It sounds like you are entrenched in the closet and don't know what to do.:)

[whowhatwhen]

www you're starting to confuse me.lol. It sounds like you are entrenched in the closet and don't know what to do.:)

Aye.
I've been pigeonholed by quite a few issues, some things were my fault, and others were out of my control.

Having this stuff bubble up a long with the other things is just the icing on the cake, the most annoying one being physical and lack of education based barriers to employment.
I've spent a lot of time getting better and I'm much better than I was years ago, but damn if that mountain just keeps getting bigger.

I'm just as confused, if not more.

Edit:
Also, I'm pretty whiny/bitchy if you couldn't tell... :P

[Bree-asaurus]

I just had another thought, what if I would be wasting their time?
I mean, I haven't even seen myself as a girl yet - how can I even know it's all just in my head?

The latest thought is if I really needed help that bad, I would've at least begged, borrowed, and stolen to experience and at least see my feminine side?
Damn, this is confusing as hell as I know something is there but the what is driving me insane.

They're getting paid to listen to you.... they don't care lol!

If you could figure it all out before you saw a therapist, what would be the point in seeing one? That's their job, to help you figure things out.

And there are transexuals out there that never crossdressed. I knew two people like this.

And you don't have to tell your family anything about seeing a therapist. They won't suddenly assume you're a tranny. Just tell them there are some things on your mind that you find easier to work out by talking to a therapist. If they know you're on anti-depressants, why would therapy be a big shocker to them?

[whowhatwhen]

I suppose, but I do occaisonally get prodded with "you don't want to change your sex do you?" whenever I say something considered "unmasculine".
I'm not sure how to describe the tone, but at no point did I feel at ease or get the impression there would be acceptance abound.

Though it could just be more fear talking, it seems to be common and an easy way to back out.

[Bree-asaurus]

I suppose, but I do occaisonally get prodded with "you don't want to change your sex do you?" whenever I say something considered "unmasculine".
I'm not sure how to describe the tone, but at no point did I feel at ease or get the impression there would be acceptance abound.

Though it could just be more fear talking, it seems to be common and an easy way to back out.

Then so what... they already judge you for who you are. Stop worrying so much about what other people think and do what YOU need to do.

It's always easier to give up... but where's the reward in doing that?

[docrobbysherry]

Some say, "Tomahto". Some say, "Tomato". As long as I like the salad they make, I don't care how they pronounce it!

[whowhatwhen]

I know, it's getting to the point where I think that if I'm asked that again I'll just say that I'm TG to an unknown degree.
If it all collapses, well, then I guess that's life.

o_o

[whowhatwhen]

I hate to bump this but I've literally done nothing else today but think of this over and over and over.
Therapy is definitely still going to have to be in my future but in the meantime I'd like to be free of having nothing else to think about. I'm losing my mind with all this brain chatter, and those imagined coming out conversations aren't helping either.

I'm rooting for the idea of being a bi/gay CD encapsulated in a dense fog, but I'm sick of thinking about it all day and late at night.
Also, I'm sorry for posting so much.

:P

Edit:
Yeah, maybe this was a bit too whiny/bitchy.
Sorry.

[Marleena]

www call that 519 link I gave you they know enough to direct you to or help you. You remain anonymous. You're just spinning your wheels.