Diagnosis

[Guest ZombieDracula]

I see a psychiatrist for my mental health and I asked for a summary report after my last appointment and under "Other Medical Conditions (Problem List)" it states F64.9 Gender identity disorder, unspecified. 

I have no idea which doctor of mine gave me this dx nor when it was. My psych has medical records from multiple doctors that I have seen over the years.

I used to think I was FTM (back when non binary wasn't a thing I was aware of and I thought that because I knew I wasn't a woman,I must be a man because I didn't know there was anything in between or outside of the binary). I am now non binary just to be clear (well I guess technically I always was non binary but wasn't aware it was a thing). I'm not exactly sure where I fall (I am not sure of another label besides non binary that fits me).

For the dx I have - Does anyone know what it means exactly? I know what gender identity disorder is, but the unspecified part is what is confusing to me because I am pretty sure it was given before I realized that I'm non binary.

I hope this makes sense, and feel free to ask me to clarify anything if need be!!!

- ZD 

[Naomi]

"Gender Identity Disorder" is an outdated diagnosis from DSM4. The term was abandoned, because it's pathologizing, at that time they still believed something was wrong with the identity in itself. In the DSM5 manual, this was changed to "Gender Dysphoria". On wikipedia, it's described as follows:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_dysphoria

Quote

Some transgender people and researchers support declassification of GID because they say the diagnosis pathologizes gender variance, reinforces the binary model of gender, and can result in stigmatization of transgender individuals. The official reclassification as gender dysphoria in the DSM-5 may help resolve some of these issues, because the term gender dysphoria applies only to the discontent experienced by some persons resulting from gender identity issues. The American Psychiatric Association, publisher of the DSM-5, states that "gender nonconformity is not in itself a mental disorder. The critical element of gender dysphoria is the presence of clinically significant distress associated with the condition."

 

[JBfox]

Not all medical computers are up to date though. I've got a similar issue, however; mine are through US GOVT systems. I have 1 file that still says transsexualism, and a couple that say GID. All of the doctors are tracking it's just gender dysphoria now, and some are ready for it to change again in the coming DSM's. It just happens to be how it's being updated from computer system to computer system.

[Briana]

Hi all - It's not so much about using "updated computer systems".  It's how things were coded at the time.  Physicians, coders, and other providers use the current/accepted codes that were available to them at the time.  Unfortunately those can follow you in your medical record forever and a day.  Generally, the only way to get them changed is by manual intervention.  Someone has to go into whatever system is used and update or delete the outdated code.  That usually doesn't happen unless you the patient push it.  And many times it still won't because most providers are very hesitant to change or remove what someone else coded.  There's also some rules/regs/laws that have to be followed. 

And in the end, that still doesn't correct all the paper records that still exist. 

[Guest ZombieDracula]

Huh. Well I wonder if I was given that code 7 years ago when I was in inpatient for like a week because I can't figure out where else I would have been given it. I was on the LGBT unit so that makes the most sense. I have no idea when the DSM-5 came out though.

I do not have gender dysphoria nor do I dislike my body due to my gender. I just don't feel anything in regards to gender (so maybe I'm genderless?). I'm also autistic (undiagnosed currently because I don't have $1500 to see someone right now). 

I see my psych again in July (I see him about every 2 months) and I'm going to ask him what he thinks about the code. My counselor has already suggested that I try to get all my medical (mainly mental health based) records from all the places I've been so I think it would be a good idea to do so even though it'll be tough. 

Thank you everyone for responding to this. It's been helpful and I hope that eventually I'll have an idea of where the dx came from and why they put that specific code down in my medical charts. 

- ZD