Gender dysphoria diagnosis?

[neo3000]

Hello, 

I don't know if I'm in the right category, but I need your opinion on this. 

 

I have a "plan" which consists of getting a gender dysphoria diagnosis from different doctors. I believe this will help back me up when I'll come out to my family, because they usually never believe anything I say. If I come out to them without "proof", they'll think I'm crazy and that I'm making it up, when truly - I am suffering. It's undeniable that I have gender dysphoria and I need to do something about it. That something is transitioning... medically. 

 

But then again, maybe it's a bad idea. Maybe it'll do more harm than good. What do you think? 

 

Also, how does one get a diagnosis? Do I have to consult a psychiatrist? (I don't think there are any gender therapists in France). I need it to have a nasty medical tone to it. 

 

Note: I am not saying you need a diagnosis to make sure you are trans. The only reason I thought of this is because for my family, there is no such thing as being transgender, or just, "queer" of any sort. So it's either I transition and cut them off forever, or I find a way to keep them in my life by trying to make them understand. 

 

 

 

[VickySGV]

France does indeed have therapists that deal with gender issues.  I have met a couple over the years, but at the minute do not remember any names or locations.  Your best bet on finding one to help you will be an LGBTQ community center as near to you as you can.  I can read a tiny bit of French, but do not speak it well enough to know what the French terminology really is to tell you how to research and find such a place, but they do exist.  A competent therapist will tell you that you can present your family with a whole library  of doctors diagnoses and they will not  believe you, if they are indeed as bad as you say.  A good therapist will help you accept that fact and take steps to deal with it as it comes. 

[neo3000]

9 minutes ago, VickySGV said:

A competent therapist will tell you that you can present your family with a whole library  of doctors diagnoses and they will not  believe you, if they are indeed as bad as you say.  A good therapist will help you accept that fact and take steps to deal with it as it comes

That's what I needed to hear. Thank you. 

I'll consult queer associations to see what I can do to get a therapist. 

Thanks again Vicky.

[Mary]

Hmmmmmm. A problem. I agree with Vicky - France has a good health system, and there must be good therapists around, even if they are not extensively trained in gender problems.

 

The problem with producing letters is that you may end up "medicalizing" the issue, which will then make them want to "cure" you, and absolutely the last thing you want is to be pushed into some quack, possibly dangerous type of "treatment".

 

They need to understand that this is just a variant of normal, just as some people are tall, some short, some with red hair and some blonde. You are perfectly normal - just not the same as them. If they are not going to be able to accept that, then your therapist will have to help you deal with it.

 

Hugs

[neo3000]

10 minutes ago, Mary said:

The problem with producing letters is that you may end up "medicalizing" the issue, which will then make them want to "cure" you, and absolutely the last thing you want is to be pushed into some quack, possibly dangerous type of "treatment".

Absolutely. I haven't thought of this possibility. Thanks for pointing it out, Mary. 

 

Thing is, my father for instance, always told me that there are no queer people in "his" house because he hasn't raised us like this. I was hoping a medical argument could show that it has nothing to do with education. There was a time where he'd remind me that i am not his "son" but his daughter (way before I realized I was trans). My mother frequently asks me if I want a "sex change" and at this point, I know they know. But I have a deep feeling they won't hear me out when I tell them the truth. 

 

I'll definitely try to talk it out with a therapist, but it's really tiring. I feel like despite them potentially knowing, instead of finding a solution that could help me, they just gaslight me back into femininity. 

 

 

[SheenaT]

On 4/14/2022 at 5:13 AM, neo3000 said:

Hello, 

I don't know if I'm in the right category, but I need your opinion on this. 

 

I have a "plan" which consists of getting a gender dysphoria diagnosis from different doctors. I believe this will help back me up when I'll come out to my family, because they usually never believe anything I say. If I come out to them without "proof", they'll think I'm crazy and that I'm making it up, when truly - I am suffering. It's undeniable that I have gender dysphoria and I need to do something about it. That something is transitioning... medically. 

 

But then again, maybe it's a bad idea. Maybe it'll do more harm than good. What do you think? 

 

Also, how does one get a diagnosis? Do I have to consult a psychiatrist? (I don't think there are any gender therapists in France). I need it to have a nasty medical tone to it. 

 

Note: I am not saying you need a diagnosis to make sure you are trans. The only reason I thought of this is because for my family, there is no such thing as being transgender, or just, "queer" of any sort. So it's either I transition and cut them off forever, or I find a way to keep them in my life by trying to make them understand. 

 

 

 

For me being diagnosed confirmed my feelings that I'm not crazy.

[StephieGurl]

My experience for hrt my therapist's letter was fine.

 

Surgery I was told that I needed either a psychiatrist or a PH.D. psychologist. Even my psych nurse would not do. See does have a doctorate in nursing, Still no good. At least at John Hopkins. They were mean. Another doctor's office told me the same thing, but was nicer about it. I have since given up surgery, but for other reasons.