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The role of the Psychiatrist in Gender reassignment?

  • 09-08-2011 08:46AM
    #1
    Freiheit
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭


    Sent a referral and got an appointment today. Thing is I'm not exactly sure what role theyr'e expected to fulfil?. Should I defer it until I've seen Dr Canavan again?. It's a local Psychiatrist as opposed to the one in Loughlinstown. She has handled at least one similar person before,but what is she expected to do?. I already have my diagnosis from a Psychoptherapist.

    Danke schoen
    F:)


Comments

  • #2
    deirdre_dub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭deirdre_dub


    Freiheit wrote: »
    Sent a referral and got an appointment today. Thing is I'm not exactly sure what role theyr'e expected to fulfil?. Should I defer it until I've seen Dr Canavan again?. It's a local Psychiatrist as opposed to the one in Loughlinstown. She has handled at least one similar person before,but what is she expected to do?. I already have my diagnosis from a Psychoptherapist.

    Danke schoen
    F:)
    I wouldn't defer anything! To do so could cause the gatekeepers to delay you. :(

    The gatekeeping process has some fairly specific needs. For hormones, you need a diagnosis, and the diagnosis has to be from a clinical psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. You mentioned your diagnosis is from a psychotherapist - such a person isn't necessarily a clinical psychologist.

    If you are getting surgery from the system, you need two diagnoses in Ireland (and you'll get a third from London :rolleyes: ). So it could be that they are getting your second diagnosis out of the way.


  • #3
    Freiheit
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭Freiheit


    I'm not sure exactly what the Therapist I've been seeing is,her offical title is 'Psycho-sexual' Therapist. A Psychiatrist she ain't but is on par with James Kelly (in the words of James himself). So is the Psychiatrist then purely for the purpose of srs and not hormonal treatment? So is there a point seeing one now?. Should I try (not an easy task) to speak to someone in St Colmcille?.

    I've decided to follow the hormonal route if safe and see how it goes,despite my fluid gender ideology.


  • #4
    deirdre_dub
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭deirdre_dub


    Freiheit wrote: »
    I'm not sure exactly what the Therapist I've been seeing is,her offical title is 'Psycho-sexual' Therapist. A Psychiatrist she ain't but is on par with James Kelly (in the words of James himself). So is the Psychiatrist then purely for the purpose of srs and not hormonal treatment? So is there a point seeing one now?. Should I try (not an easy task) to speak to someone in St Colmcille?.
    I am, obviously, speculating as to why you have this second appointment. So if you need clarity, then yes - you need to try and talk to someone in Loughlinstown. The two possibilities that I can think of are that Loughlinstown see a problem with the diagnosis you have, or that they are getting everything out of the way for SRS. There could easily be a third explanation. If my first explanation is right, then it could delay the start of HRT. If my second explanation is right, it shouldn't. And as for the third, unknown, possibility - your guess is as good as mine

    Why do you want to defer the appointment anyway?


  • #5
    Freiheit
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭Freiheit


    Yes they were not familiar with the lady I got my diagnosis from,had to get confirmation from James Kelly informally that she is of equivilant rank to him.

    I was under the impression then that a Psychiatrist was required before starting hrt,a psychiatrist in addition to one's gender related diagnosis ( for the record I detest the term G.I.D.,loaded with stigma and implies that there is an ordered way to be gendered).

    If that isn't the case then I'm not sure if there's a point seeing her now. Perhaps I should ring St Colmcille and ask what exactly they expect from a Psychiatrist. There wouldn't be any point going through with the appointment if I don't know what the purpose of the appointment is. Won't be easy to get through to anyone though. Does anyone know if the doctors there have an email address open to patients?.


  • #6
    Freiheit
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,783 ✭✭✭Freiheit


    Ah spoke with an assistant,all clear now. It is purely for srs.

    A strange feeling when I spoke about h.r.t to her though..... a thought of 'are you sure you want this?'.....Yes I think so if it's safe and can benefit me whether or not I want s.r.s. . Very variant expression is one thing,medical intervention is a different level.

    I've never been entirely sure about the concept of medical gender reassignment due to my previously expressed fluid gender views,unsure about it for myself that is,not for others.

    But procrastinate too long and nothing ever gets done. Time to get things done.


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