Therapist recommending anti-anxiety medication BEFORE HRT...

Comment by Julia Giannopoulos on July 16, 2011 at 5:16am

Matthew,

Is this therapist a trans person him or herself?

If they are not they have no idea the positive effects that HRT has on the mind chemically.

Obviously this person is a trained mental health professional but NO ONE can understand us other than one of us Matthew.

And why the hell is she wanting to send you to a psychiatrist?!?!?!?
For prescribed medication???
That's like attempting to kill a fly with a cannon.
Go to your general practitioner and ask him or her if they would be willing to prescribe a medication that they think would assist you during this time.

If you are Trans, which by knowing you here I wholeheartedly think you are, your anxiety and any depression that might be creeping in will be reduced by massive amounts while on HRT.

Is HRT a replacement for therapy? No it is not. It is used in addition to such.

Be very very careful Matthew placing your future in the hands of professionals that are not trans.

Did you know that your facial features will soften greatly while on HRT therapy?
This will give you the appearance you were speaking of when you mentioned minor facial surgeries

Remember this Matthew, the U.S. healthcare system has little experience with the trans population so you must train them on what your course of therapy should be, not the other way around.

I just am having a very hard time believing she actually recommended you see a psychiatrist! Really?!?!?
Unless you aren't telling us the whole story about your mental state I fully think that a psychiatrist is massive overkill.

I love you sis!!


Julia

Comment by Stephani Krzysik on July 16, 2011 at 8:18am

Matthew, to some extent, Julia brought up a good point as to how honest you are in revealing what is happening with you. I do not agree with her assessment of our healthcare system not fully understanding us. Many trans people face a double edge sword. They have baggage that clouds their path to beginning their transition. Many are in such a rush to become female. An oak tree starts as an acorn and needs time to grow into that magnificent sturdy tree. Having a plan, being patient and being happy with yourself will help our journey. I have been there and done that.

Comment by Julia Giannopoulos on July 16, 2011 at 9:29am

@Stephanie,

I'm not challenging you in a mean way on your statement concerning the U.S. Healthcare system but would like to have you elaborate further on your disagreement concerning healthcare here.

Roadblock # 1
Health Insurance overwhelmingly denies us coverage if our physician is honest in his or her billing codes.
I have been denied coverage in the past because of a physician not using "cover" coding in which to bill my insurance resulting in close to a 400.00 bill that I forced the doctor to eat

One wrong move will out you to your insurance thus causing your coverage for anything trans related to be denied.

Roadblock # 2
In all but large cities do you consistently find GLBT dedicated healthcare clinics forcing the majority of trans patients to look outside a safety zone in which to locate coverage forcing the hand of chance that one will find a sympathetic doctor.

Roadblock # 3

Hilariously conservative dosages of HRT being prescribed by said ignorant physicians in which to mitigate any sort of legal responsibility on their end simply because they do not know how to properly care for trans patients.

This has a double negative effect on the trans patient; First if the patient stays with the physician and stays on the relatively noneffective HRT regime the trans patient will not develop to her full capability thus remaining more male in appearance.
The second negative affect is that the trans patient is forced once again to either self prescribe or continue what seems a fruitless and never ending search for TS friendly healthcare without being on HRT.

Over a decade of HRT use and the problems that have arisen because of this healthcare system has resulted in me having a great deal of knowledge in this field.

The answer for Matthew and others like her is to refuse to accept dangerous levels of trans ignorance by U.S. Healthcare providers and take their transitions into their own hands whenever possible.
Anything else is mediocrity and unethical to oneself.

Matthew, it is extremely important to stay on course in a steady fashion in which to meet your goals of transition.

I know you have been in therapy for over two years now.

Coming to the realization that you have to transition is a daunting task wrought with many wrong turns.

If transition is truly right for you then no amount of delay in taking HRT is going to change it.

Continue your path sister, steady and true to what you know you have to do.


Julia

Comment by Matthew Mitchell on July 16, 2011 at 12:54pm

Hi Julia and Stephani! Thank you for your comments...

No, my therapist is not Trans however, she has been active in the trans community and I would say that 95% of her clientele is trans. She has been a Transgender therapist for about 20 years.

It really threw me for a loop because I WAS SURE that HRT would lessen my anxiety and really confirm what I knew all along. She may be playing devil's advocate and just wanting to give me all options before beginning HRT. On one hand, I can commend her for just not rushing out and prescribing HRT. On the other hand, I've been seeing her for over a year. Granted for 6 months we discussed other issues before tackling GID.

It's confusing enough to be in this state - now another layer of confusion is added. She sent me to a psychiatrist who she works closely with and is "trans friendly" (I assume he understands the condition). She herself cannot prescribe medication thus sending me to him. Her thinking is that when the anxiety is reduced, I can see more clearly and calmly on what the absolute next step is for me - if that is HRT so be it.

SO....again, I am so leary of medications. I know that HRT is medication but when I take other forms, I react very badly to them. I had a Dr several years ago indicate I was ADD, then gave me Adderall. Well, I was a productive BITCH to say the least! I threw the whole bottle away after a week.

Seriously - sometimes I feel like I'm in the twighlight zone. Caught in a floating dreamlike world. In all other areas of my life, I'm a roaring success (excuse my ego for a minute, please!).

When I get REALLY busy and consumed with my business and family, etc. , I don't think about my GID as much. I think that is normal because I'm not giving it the attention it deserves. It's when I quiet my mind and listen to my inner voice that it is loud and clear.

I'll keep you posted!!!

Comment by Matthew Mitchell on July 16, 2011 at 11:44pm

Hi Rachel - your words echo my own thoughts and feelings. Something just tells me that HRT will relieve me of a lot of my anxiety. I cannot prove that to myself unless I try it.

I believe she has good intentions though. I'll see what she has to say our next session. Ultimately, I will decide whether I want to take any anti-anxiety medication. As I mentioned, I don't do well with those types of medications.

Thank you for your widsom!

Comment by Matthew Mitchell on July 17, 2011 at 7:22am

Hi Danielle -

I'm wondering too that simply taking anti-anxiety drugs is going to mask changes that the HRT will have. I would rather be in a completely clear state before starting HRT so I can be fully aware of the changes to my mind and body.

Anxiety can come and go in our lives and for me, it is more pronounced during stressful times which makes sense. When you think about it, how much more stressful can one be when they are questioning their own gender, their own self? The thoughts alone create stress and added to that, the worry of what to do about those thoughts, how your actions will affect your future and your loved ones, creates added anxiety.

My relationship with my wife has been tumultuous as well over the last several years. Issues that are not even related to my GID. My father is in the last stages of Alzheimers (he's had it since he was about 55) - so just "life" happening has been somewhat difficult to process. Overall, I think I am doing good.

She may be very well practicing CYA. I will never know for sure. I do know she is kind and has helped me thus far so I don't feel like I need to jump ship just yet.

I'm just ready to move on as I'm tired of spinning my wheels for so long!

Comment by Suzi Jet on July 19, 2011 at 8:59am

Dear Matt,

Depression is an interesting topic because conventional medicine says there is a pill to cure it..But in fact the pills don't cure anything. Here is a link to a site with lots of stuff to read. It may give you some insight that you need.

I'm not a TS so I can't speak with first hand knowledge but from observing many TS fiends, HRT in the proper doses will do wonders for making your brain and body happy. Julia has a good point in that most non-trans healthcare providers are clueless and practice CYA medicine (at great trouble and expense to you.)

I spent 31 years in uniform, starting out as a traffic cop (Forward Air Controller) flying on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos & Cambodia. I've seen courage up close. The decision to transition takes a kind of courage not often seen, even in combat. All we can do is support you by cheering you on. GID is real, a certain amount of anxiety is to be expected (because a transition means placing everything you hold dear at risk of loss) and no one can do it for you. Can't run the anxiety meter any higher than that. But as you can see from the beautiful, confident women around you - successful transitions happen often and there are many happy, successful and beautiful women to prove it.

Love,

Suzi

http://search.mercola.com/search/pages/Results.aspx?k=depression

Comment