I will remain completely anonymous on this question, so no answers are biased. A few questions I would like answered are as follows:
- Should one contact a psychologist if they feel as though they have a G.I.D.?
- Does health insurance cover any of the procedures if one is to actually be diagnosed with G.I.D.?
- How long does a full gender change take?
- What are your additional views on this?
More questions may be posted, that's all I could think of at the moment.
G.I.D. and gender changes?
1. Depends on where you live. In the USA the first step is seeing a GENDER therapist:
http://www.DrBecky.com/therapists.html
In Canada and England you start by seeing your doctor and asking to be referred to the gender clinic or specialistbecause you believe yourself to be transsexual.
And don't say GID because our identities are not %26quot;disordered%26quot; the medical nomenclature is.
2. Most (95%) do not. In the US this is slowly changing, but it will be another decade before coverage becomes more common. The AMA came out in support of transsexualism last year (Resolution 122) and called for the insurance industry to end it's exclusionary policies.
3. It takes time and money. My transition took 4.5 years and about $80,000. Nobody transitions overnight, that is a myth.
4. I think that's pretty self-evident as I am fully transitioned myself.
You can find answers to a lot of questions here:
http://www.LynnConway.com
The link in the first answer should have been:
http://www.TSRoadmap.com
G.I.D. and gender changes?
If you're serious, and believe you would like to get a gender change, consult a psychologist. To be qualified for the surgery, you must have written consent of two psychologists. They will place you on hormones beforehand, especially if you're FTM. Health insurance does not cover GID procedures, because it is still considered as a cosmetic procedure, so be prepared to pay out of pocket. The road of changing one's gender is long, and tiresome. Some people change in a couple of years, some, it may take longer. It depends on your budget, age, etc.
I have a lot of trans friends, so I guess I'm educated on the topic. It's a shame that they were born in the wrong body, and have to go through so much to be happy, and themselves.
visit www.tgroadmap.com for additional details.
I can't answer everything, but I'll certainly try.
I would certainly try to get in touch with a councilor/psychiatrist if I felt I had G.I.D, or was uncertain. Once you know, you can go from there.
A full gender change could probably take from a few months to a few years, depending on the %26quot;severity%26quot;, how far you wish you progress with it, and so forth. I'd guess the average time is a year or two. There'd be time where the psychiatrist would confirm you had it, then you'd discuss it. I think it would then move to a phase where you would dress/behave like a female (or a male, of course), and I believe this is roughly when Hormones are started.
Once you've been on hormones (or dressed) for so long, I'd guess it's a case of being reviewed and seeing how you feel. If you feel it's correct, you could then go on all the way to surgery.
My views? I need to do the same, I think. I recently found a website called %26quot;tzone%26quot;. It might be worth a visit, just to confirm.
yes ,you should contact a psychologist if you feel you have g.i.d ,hun.try ask anothers about that another questions that you have post ,hun.
- Some sort of mental health professional (hopefully with gender issues as a background) should always be contacted if you feel you have any sort of need for their services.
- Some health insurances cover transition costs, but not specifically as transition related. For example, my private coverage pays for me to see my gender therapist because I have mental health coverage, and she has credentials. My insurance also covers the cost of HRT because I have an excellent drug coverage with them. When dealing with any insurance company, the less they know the better it is for everyone.
I live in Ontario, and OHIP will be paying for everything after my chest reconstruction. They have just re-instated SRS coverage.
- Transition (your gender does not change) can be completed in the physical sense as soon as two years.The group of doctors I am transitioning with are the ones the Canadian military uses when a solider or officer is transitioning, and they allow for only two years of leave from the time of diagnosis to the final surgery before a person is put back on active duty. Often it takes longer due to financial limitations.
- My additional views? I don't feel that people properly understand what people who are trans go through. It is frustrating, and I wish I knew how to make even the most narrow minded person understand that people being trans is not a choice, nor is it deviant behaviour, nor are we anything to fear.
