Therapy

[RobynGirl]

Hi everyone,
Has anyone else ever seen a therapist about their crossdressing and did the therapist suggest taking medication for this?

Thanks,
Robyn

[Niya W]

Err what kind of meds ???

[Miss Petra]

Would that be the RED or BLUE pill?

[Joy Carter]

He suggested shock theropy.......................:heehee:

[harmony]

i have never been with a therapist and i self-medicate by enjoying crossdressing without shame or guilt!

[Stephanie Anne]

Usually there are underlying factors associated with the need to seek professional help. The simple pleasure of crossdressing does not mean you need counseling.

Usually years of guilt, confusion, addiction, self abuse and depression need to be sorted out and crossdressing is often just the catalyst to these greater issues.

I doubt any caring or intelligent therapist would prescribe any sort of medication simply on the grounds you like to crossdress. If anything they might want to help alleviate anxiety, depression, or other serious disorders.

It is my sincere belief that most people who crossdress, do so attached with or because of other issues and it is rare that someone does so naturally without guilt, excess, denial, or mental abuse.

while it is wonderful to have a place like this to ask questions, do not discredit your therapist simply because of advice you may get here.

[noname]

I wouldn't unless I honestly felt I just could not handle day to day living.

[trannie T]

If crossdressing or thoughts about crossdressing causes you any great anxiety or stress you may wish to see a counselor.

[susan2010]

Therapy may be a good idea, and you may need some meds, but try to find a therapist familiar with our issues or stick with the same therapist if they are willing to listen to you, and don't try to "cure" you.

[Amy Hepker]

I have seen them and I am seeing a counselor now. They are not going to lock you away if that's what you think. The only time they do that is if a bunch of your relatives think you are nuts. You are a CDer not a killer. You do not hurt anyone with your dressing. The only medication I get is anti-depressants and that is not from the therapist or counselor.

[Nicki B]

Has anyone else ever seen a therapist about their crossdressing and did the therapist suggest taking medication for this?

Robyn, has your therapist suggested you take meds? What have they proposed you should take?

TBH my first reaction is they should be struck off..

[jill s]

I have been to three different ones, none suggested meds. I did find a web site (always careful about what's on the web) by Anne Vital that talks about using low doses of hormones to relive the stress of gender mismatch but that's getting into something more than cross dressing. I'm sure the drug companies would love to sell something to cure us. Side effects may include: loose stool, headaches, sleeplessness, and increased desire to wear wifebeater shirts in public.

[docrobbysherry]

I have been to three different ones, none suggested meds.

But I'm going to keep looking, until I find one that does!

[Jodi Lynn]

Yes I am in therapy now, I have been for the last six months. My famaly doc sujusted that I go, not because of crossdressing but for depression. He has changed my meds and upped the dose for depression. I didn't tell him about my crossdressing until after seeing him for two months. To my suprise he didn't tell me I am a sicko or anything like that. He asked me if I enjoy dressing why I do it more. I told him that my wife doesn't approve. He has encourged me to talk to my wife about it, and to seek her approval. That hasn't went to well, but at least we (wife and I) do talk about my cd'ing. He has made me take a deep look at my innersole as to who I am. He asked me if I think I am gay. Told him I am not sure, because I do have wants to be with a man now, and that as a teen I did have a gay realtionship. He asked me if I am TS, told him I can remember from way back when I was a small boy thinking I was in the wrong body and that I still have these feelings at times today. Things are going good and we are working things out I belive.
But just so you know I do have a lot of underlaying isusses that I am dealing with. Years of depressing, mental abbuse when I was a child, feeling of not being good enough, and low self worth. All and all I think it has helped me be understanding of myself.

[RikkiOfLA]

I have been to several therapists over the years, for things unrelated to crossdressing. None suggested that we deal with the crossdressing in therapy.

Some of my crossdressing friends have been to therapists who suggested hormones.

Blessings,
Rikki

[suchacutie]

Viktoriya, I hope to expand your experiences by telling you that I think there are many of us here who are quite comfortable with our exploration of our feminine selves, and do so without guilt or excess or denial or any other internally negative emotion. Moreover, many of us do so with the support and help of our spouses (and I do wish it was all of our spouses who would support us. I truly believe that those who don't are missing the chance of a lifetime! IMHO).

As far as listening to any professional, be it doctor or carpenter, a second or even third opinion is always wise. I have complete respect for the medical profession, but that profession is an ART, not completely a science, and as in all art, there is some science and a lot of opinion based on experience. You wouldn't fully remodel your house without at least a few different bids on the project, so why would we trust our bodies and minds to doctors we've just met? Always get a second opinion!

just my :2c:
tina

[RobynGirl]

I guess it is safe to assume that we were born with these inner feelings to crossdress and that we have no real control over it. My therapist did not mention which drug he was thinking of prescribing but I have my doubts about taking them. He was leaning towards compulsive behavior type of things. In my case I seem to be thinking more and more that I am more of a woman inside than a man. So I really don't understand what good the medication would be. Thanks for all the feedback concerning my questions.


Love,
Robyn

[Dr.Susan]

Viktoriya, I hope to expand your experiences by telling you that I think there are many of us here who are quite comfortable with our exploration of our feminine selves, and do so without guilt or excess or denial or any other internally negative emotion. Moreover, many of us do so with the support and help of our spouses (and I do wish it was all of our spouses who would support us. I truly believe that those who don't are missing the chance of a lifetime! IMHO).

As far as listening to any professional, be it doctor or carpenter, a second or even third opinion is always wise. I have complete respect for the medical profession, but that profession is an ART, not completely a science, and as in all art, there is some science and a lot of opinion based on experience. You wouldn't fully remodel your house without at least a few different bids on the project, so why would we trust our bodies and minds to doctors we've just met? Always get a second opinion!

just my :2c:
tina

Good advice Vicktoriya

Psychoanalysis is not an exact science.The brain functions like no other organ in the body. When you seek a therapist try to find one that is associated with a teaching hospital if there is one close by you area.
One that deals with Gender Dysphoria would be best but may be hard to find with out adequate referrals.

[TerriM]

I think it was about 1981 that I saw a psycholgist for about 6 months.I had told my wife of 10yrs about my crossdressing and had purged my femme things. The therapy helped me somewhat. I gained some insight, at least I thought so in why I dressed. We talked very little about the dressing. Mostly we talked about my childhood. It helped me. I went back to dressing about 6 months after stopping therapy. What really helped me was joining a CD group. It literally saved my life. But what worked for me, may not be the answer for you.
Terri
PS I am still married

[celeste26]

I would rather recommend a massage therapist. A good massage will do wonders for all the stress.

[Nicole Erin]

there is not yet a pill that would cure this.
Of course give them time, :brolleyes:

[Samantha B L]

I think medication is a good thing for certain types of illnesses. But I wouldn't see any therapist who suggested electric shock or medication for crossdressing. Actually I think most therapists in more recent years know that crossdressing isn't a "mental illness" and they wouldn't recommend either one. But there was a time when people were sometimes locked up for TG/TS/CD issues. Of course,maybe your therapist will drop it if you just say no.

[Nicki B]

Any therapist who suggested ECT or medication as a 'cure' for cross-dressing would make me run a mile... It means they don't have a clue?


But I'm going to keep looking, until I find one that does!

In the UK, we used to have Russell Reid - then his rivals complained about his methods of prescribing hormones straightaway, as a way of weeding out those who weren't serious and he had to suffer a long, drawn out tribunal case (http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/society/health/sex+change+doctor+avoids+dismissal/531137) in front of the BMA. As a consequence, no one would dare to follow this treatment path now, although many girls might benefit? :sad:

[Ressie]

From what I understand, crossdressing (transvestism) is considered neurotic behavior related to OCD. One is obsessed with women's clothing, (thinks about it a lot) and with all of these thoughts comes the compulsion to actually wear them.

This isn't the case with transexuals, who are not so obsessed with the clothing but truly feel that a mistake was made with the gender they were born to.

Not to worry though, most everyone is neurotic in one way or another. I believe in solving emotional or mental problems without drugs if possible.

[Beth-Lock]

Yes, and no, but then he was not qualified to prescribe anyway, being a specialist in sex therapy. He was nice to talk to, but I guess I was disappointed since at the time I was looking for encouragement to take the next step, transitioning. Now I see that that would not have been wise, which was his view.

[Michaella]

I have seen therapists a few times, for stress and depression issues mainly. My current therapist is quite supportive of my cross-dressing; she sees no problem with it at all and even thinks it is relaxing for me, which it is from time to time. A few times I've seen her while dressed, and she is fully accepting of that. Some years ago I saw someone about the dressing itself, and he -- I think the gender issue is relevant here -- was not so supportive and it didn't work out all that well. Once I was told by another psychiatrist that I wasn't nearly crazy enough to be cured of anything. I have been told anti-anxiety meds would help me, but I have resisted taking them. I've never been told they would do anything about the cross-dressing, and I'd have real problems with someone suggesting they would. Fact is of course, I like dressing femme, and would not want to take such meds if they did work.

Michaella

[Karen C]

:2c: Ive sceen a number of therapsit over the years mainly for depression . and just didn't realy trust any of them and dont take any thing currently although some say i should they all think im manic depressive but . i just go shopping .or have a good bottel of merlow or cabernay

[Susan.]

My therapist said she would recommend hormones for me if I wanted. I wanted, but not enough and my wife was against it.

[Ruth]

...From what I understand, crossdressing (transvestism) is considered neurotic behavior related to OCD. One is obsessed with women's clothing, (thinks about it a lot) and with all of these thoughts comes the compulsion to actually wear them...
Well I don't understand anything of the kind, Dee. There may be a few CDers who get into it via that route but there are a whole lot who don't. Be careful not to make sweeping statements about the origins of CDing.
Regarding the original post, I would be wary of a therapist who suggested medication early on in the program.
I have been seeing a therapist for over 18 months regarding my CDing and it has been a very positive experience: she has affirmed and encouraged my CD life and helped me understand it and benefit from it. I should hope any good therapist would do the same.

[NicoleScott]

Have you ever noticed that most of the people who recommend counseling and therapy are counselors and therapists?
I agree with Viktoriya. There may be other issues of to be dealt with. Crossdressing isn't dysfunctional behavior.
But, if you want to see a therapist about your crossdressing, you might want to ask if he/she was present the day they went over it in class. Most of us know a lot about crossdressing. A lot of therapists never will understand it like we do.

[Seville]

Viktoriya, I hope to expand your experiences by telling you that I think there are many of us here who are quite comfortable with our exploration of our feminine selves, and do so without guilt or excess or denial or any other internally negative emotion. Moreover, many of us do so with the support and help of our spouses (and I do wish it was all of our spouses who would support us. I truly believe that those who don't are missing the chance of a lifetime! IMHO).

tina

AMEN!


i have never been with a therapist and i self-medicate by enjoying crossdressing without shame or guilt!

AND AMEN!

[Stephanie-L]

I have been seeing a very good therapist about my CD, especially my relationship with my wife due to my CDing. She never suggested anything to stop my CDing, rather she encouraged it as a stress relief mechanism. She did say she would recomend hormones if I want them (I want them, but not at the cost of my marriage). She did recommend that my wife get counselling, from a different therapist, since my description of our relationship leads my therapist to suspect that my wife is depressed. My therapist has given me tools to deal with some of the problems in my life, and has helped me to get rid of the last bits of doubt and shame about my TG issues. I may wind up leaving my wife over these issues, but I have suspected this for years, and counselling has given me the courage to admit this. Good luck to all.........Stephanie

[yms]

I saw a therapist (psychologist) for many years and the subject of crossdressing came up much later. I started going originally for unrelated reasons.

He was very supportive. His main focus was whether or not I was OK with it or if it was causing me any kind of stress. But he wasn't concerned about the behavior itself, only how I was feeling.

[Samantha B L]

Robyn, It could be that therapist was talking about hormones or possibly something other than psychiatric medications,antidepressants,etc.

[Emily Anderson]

I saw a few therapists prior to my divorce, and one of them suggested anti-depressants, but more related to the marital problems than the cross-dressing.

[Sally R.]

My wife suggested we go to a therapy, she was hoping I would be "cured". When the therapist said there was nothing wrong with me to cure, she (wife) stormed out of the office and we never went back. We now have good and bad times. She will OK for awhile then not want to see me dressed for awhile.

[Carly D.]

I think therapy would be a really good idea for the rest of the world.. those who think there is something wrong with those who do crossdress or are different in any other way should seek help immediately!!!

[O2B Barbara]

Yes I have and no she did not. She only mentioned that I should remember I live in a small town with a small town attitude. She has known me for some time as the wife has been going for help in dealing with a medical condition. She knows the wife is comfortable with it and also that she had not picked up on it for over a year untill I told her.

No meds, just support.