Gender Dysphoria a diagnosis?

[CD Rachel]

Who makes the diagnosis of gender dysphoria? Can it be made by a family medical Doctor, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a counselor? My current therapist is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker but she is telling me that I should see a psychiatrist. I do not want to be constantly bouncing around telling my stories of woe and tears regarding my dysphoria to dozens of practitioners until I finally stumble onto the one who can help me. I called my family Doctor and after some confusion she is referring me to a Behavioral specialist. I am not sure if this is what I need. Any advice would be appreciated.

Rachel

[Leasa Wells]

My licensed therapist made the call after a few sessions

[Angela Marie]

I made an appointment with a therapist who specializes in gender therapy. Unfortunately due to covid they are not doing one on one appointments now. I believe they will start in a few months. From what I understand they can make the diagnosis.

[docrobbysherry]

I'm not sure what u want? R u strictly looking for a diagnosis or help moving forward?

Calling it potahto or potayto doesn't change your need for help!:straightface:

My dressing screwed up my life for 12 years. This site, the folks on it, and my in person trans friends, r the main reason I'm enjoying my and Sherry's lives so much now!:hugs:

[Star01]

I have been going to a therapist qualified and experienced with gender issues since February. He switched to online appointments when the pandemic shut everything down and we have been continuing our sessions without interruption. Some insurance may not cover remote sessions but I think that is the exception as most have made that option available with the pandemic limiting live meetings.

My understanding is that the realization one is transgender must come from the patient and not the therapist. I know that I have dysphoria and have struggled with gender issues for over fifty years but I have not experienced any ah ha moments up to this point. I"m not sure how the process works but he seems to have focused on my gender issues so we shall see what happens with me. I had expected some kind of revelation to hit me like a flash of lightning but I'm finding that the process has been much slower than I expected.

[Brianne_bc]

Im just leaving my stuff alone. However my Dr who is a gender specialist and also on the autism spectrum as am I is very supportive of me and my being. The first time I brought up my aspergers/ASD to her she said that in all her patients with gender dysphoria they are all living with neurodiversity.

[Robertacd]

Many times they are just called a "gender therapist" but most professionals will list their specialties on their website.

You might have to look for a while as gender specialists are in high demand due to the low numbers of specialists in the field.

[Taylor186]

If it were me, I'd be looking for a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist qualified and experienced with gender issues: specifically trans issues. And, by experience, I mean a lot of experience.

[Helen_Highwater]

Rachel,

What difference to you would a diagnosis make? If you have counselling and they say no you don't have it would it change the way you feel or behave? Would it have an effect upon your dressing?

[southerngirl]

That's a great point, Helen.

[CD Rachel]

Thank you everyone for the responses

Sorry I was not clear in what I am looking for and why. I am self identifying as Non-binary and bisexual. I have no problem with this now that I have been honest with myself and my feelings. What I am looking for is a diagnosis for reasons of medical insurance and so that I can get a letter of referral for HRT.

I think that Taylor186 response is what i am looking for. However finding such a unicorn in Pennsylvania looks like a Sisyphean task.

Thanks
Rachel

[VtVicky]

Any Psychiatrist, clinical Psychologist or Clinical Social Worker will make the diagnosis using the most current diagnostic criteria as delineated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

The diagnosis is not the problem, it is the treatment options available. As an LICSW myself I am comfortable diagnosing and treating the symptoms of ego dystonic gender dysphoria. But, if there are symptoms of medical comorbidity, such as clinical depression or reality testing deficit, I will refer to a psychiatrist for consultation. As a medical doctor before becoming certified in psychiatry, they are able to evaluate the need for, and prescribe, medications to be adjunctive to any therapies I may choose to use.

Gender Dysphoria may be your condition, but it is how you relate to it that may, or may not, be a problem for you.

Having said all that, your second posting may give the answer to your question. If you are looking for a letter of referral for HRT, you are not asking for therapy, you are asking for help doing something you have already decided to do. Depending on your insurance company, they may require a consult with a psychiatrist because s/he is a medical doctor, and, after all, HRT is a medical procedure.

[HelpMe,Rhonda]

Planned Parenthood in southeast PA does informed consent HRT, and according to Erin's Informed Consent (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1DxyOTw8dI8n96BHFF2JVUMK7bXsRKtzA&hl=en_US&ll=41.35093369139638%2C-75.97099972827282&z=8) map Planned Parenthood in Pottstown does the same.

And the Allentown Women Center (https://allentownwomenscenter.com/trans-health/) says if you've started on HRT and transfer to their care you don't need to get a letter.

[SaraLin]

CD Rachel,

This phrase " I called my family Doctor and after some confusion she is referring me to a Behavioral specialist." worries me.

I may be wrong, but a behavioral specialist sounds to me like someone who gets you to change what you do (like smoking or gambling), and not who you are.
It doesn't sound like a proper fit at all.

[Teresa]

Rachel,
At one time I didn't know what GID or GD meant for most of my life I just lived with a gut feeling something wasn't right , I began to beleive most people had a gut feeling about something so didn't question it . At some point I realised I wasn't growing out of the need to dress in fact it was becoming stronger , it began to affect me mentally and so my physical abilities were affected .

My GP couldn't confirm I had GD so he referred me to a gender counsellor to put the official stamp on it that indeed I had GD . For many of us that is a tough time knowing we have to deal with it but knowing our close family will struggle with the reality . The idea of having dysphoria swings from it being real to being unreal , at times it was almost like I was thinking or talking about another person .

Perhaps we have it easier in the UK because the NHS will take care of it , we don't have to convince insurance companies because we don't have the finances to fund the situation .

Sometimes it looks like a negative approach the US insurance companies take , if they funded the transition people would be able to return to new but normal life and so contribute into the economy again . If dysphoria is dragged out some people cease to function or perhaps take more serious steps , which helps no one .

[GretchenM]

Following Taylor's recommendation is a good choice. Personally, I would find a psychiatrist as they are an MD as well and it seems to me that would carry the strongest weight with the insurance company approving something that will allow for HRT. Another reason for that is that you don't know what the future will bring or what impact the HRT will have on you. Perhaps you will decide to transition to some degree and for higher level gender surgeries at least one psychiatrist will be needed and possibly some other backup diagnoses. But I suspect you could also get by with a psychologist or gender therapist if HRT is all that is being needed at this time.

[Jean 103]

Find the local LGBTQ center. They will be able to lead you in the right direction. If I needed a name to put on a piece of paper or help, this is where I would go .

I have actually met one of the doctors at group, a very nice person. Need a name, they can help.

[DMichele]

Rachel,

Have you tried searching this resource...

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/transgender/pennsylvania

Good luck!

[CD Rachel]

DMichele,

Thank you!!! I have used this site before but for some reason i was not getting the same results as your link had. I see at least 4 good possibilities in the results from your link! I will be reaching out to them to find a good fit for me.

I was getting so frustrated! Thank you!!!!!

Rachel

[Robertacd]

Honestly honey look for a local support group. Many (like mine) are doing Zoom meetings and local people are the best source for local recommendations, and it's always nice to make local connections.

Here's a quick Google for North Eastern Pennsylvania transgender support group (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=North+Eastern+Pennsylvania+transgender+support+g roup)

[Krisi]

Thank you everyone for the responses
.......... What I am looking for is a diagnosis for reasons of medical insurance and so that I can get a letter of referral for HRT.

Well, why not ask the insurance company who you should see?

[Jane G]

I'm not sure what you are looking for, from your originally post. You are who you are. Searching for a label from some one else will not change that. I guess it"s reassurance in away. For that I have found this forum for more helpful than any therapist.