Hi, new and looking for help

[Angel53]

Hi, I'm new and looking for support... idk where to go, who can give me support. I feel alone where I live and it's not very lgbt friendly in where I live.

I have always throughout my life felt as a girl. I'm 22, but first wore some panties and crossdressed for the first time when I was 11. I always just feel, so relaxed, So happy, and feel SO like the real me when I dress some female clothes, wear makeup and be myself.

I have ALWAYS detested and hated myself for being trans... I have been punishing myself and I used to be suicidal. Idk what to do, I have just gone back to the mental health team and I told them about being the real me, myself and my other problems.... the assesor said he would refer me to a psychologist, is this bad? I want to be able to transition and to be myself and who I really am asap. I've heard online that a gender specialist is better than a psychologist for people who want to transition and be who they really are, it said before online that psychologists are less likley to diagnose you for it.. idk if this is true, but what do you guys think? is it bad?

And when will I be allowed to start using hormones? how does the process work, like how long does it usually take? and how long will it be until I can start transitioning?

[Ice Maiden]

Hi first of all welcome and although you seem stressed try to relax...

I will answer your questions in order.

First you do not say where you are from - UK?

OK Here is what you asked answers in bold

I have just gone back to the mental health team and I told them about being the real me, myself and my other problems.... the assesor said he would refer me to a psychologist, is this bad?

No it is perfectly normal for you to be referred to a mental health team first to ensure there is no comorbidity - as in you do not have other mental health problems that are not trans* but may seem trans*?

I want to be able to transition and to be myself and who I really am asap. I've heard online that a gender specialist is better than a psychologist for people who want to transition and be who they really are, it said before online that psychologists are less likely to diagnose you for it.. idk if this is true, but what do you guys think? is it bad?

I would see family doctor - local mental health - ask local mental health for a referral to a gender clinic... in that order. Online are unlikely to be able to provide you with a referral without seeing you. The NHS need Family GP as gate-keeper I'm afraid.

And when will I be allowed to start using hormones? how does the process work, like how long does it usually take? and how long will it be until I can start transitioning?

You will likely obtain a prescription (legitimate one rather than self-med) from a second opinion consultant at a gender clinic. It will all happen in due course - so try not to be impatient.

On another note, 'cross-dressing' is not something you NEED to see a doctor about. Unless you are body dysmorphic and feel you need to change your gender role completely by means of NHS surgery. You can transition dress how you like, change your name and live as a woman right now if you want. it is 2016!

[Ice Maiden]

#Replies

[Angel53]

Hi, thank you SO much for all the advice and for the reply, you're right I am stressed, I'm panicking tbh about how this is gonna work and when I can start to take hormones... and to change my body.

I'm sorry for not giving much details, I'm 22, I live in North Wales in the UK. I used to be depressed and had anxiety and self referred myself back to the local mental health team. Then the local mental health team gave me an assessment, and I told them everything about being trans, and about cross dressing. I also told the assessor about something else... I told him the details and he said I might be schitzophermic. I was to go for an appointment with him again 2 weeks after the assessment (that's just been) and he said I might also have OCD.

He said that it's frustrating at the minute because psychologists are leaving the mental health team in my area and that they are trying to get a new one to work there, so it makes me have to wait longer. But he said he's gonna have a meeting with the psychologist on the 8th of this month and will then send me a letter in 2 weeks to say what's happening.

During the initial mental health assessment with the mental health assessor, I did ask if I could be referred to a gender specialist with my gender issue. But he said the psychologist will be able to refer me to a gender specialist.

"No it is perfectly normal for you to be referred to a mental health team first to ensure there is no comorbidity - as in you do not have other mental health problems that are not trans* but may seem trans*?"

No, apart from what I have said, that's all.

"I would see family doctor - local mental health - ask local mental health for a referral to a gender clinic... in that order."

I tried... but he said the psychologist would refer me

"On another note, 'cross-dressing' is not something you NEED to see a doctor about. Unless you are body dysmorphic and feel you need to change your gender role completely by means of NHS surgery."

I am body dysmorphic... VERY, surgery is something I want if it can work... I want to get rid of my adam's apple and to change my body... idk if surgery can work for me.... idk if hormones can work for me... but anything so I could be myself in my real body. I detest how I look... I always have... I told the mental health assessor about this... I am desperate tbh cos I wanna be able to look, to pass, to feel as the woman I am and just so I can love how I look.

"You can transition dress how you like, change your name and live as a woman right now if you want. it is 2016!"

It's just... the area I live in... well it's rural and a LOT of people make fun of lgbt people around here. That just makes me terrified...

I will try not to be impatient. Thank you, thank you SO much! I'm just nervous, and scared. I just hate living in this body SO much and just wish I could change rn

[Ice Maiden]

I live in North Wales in the UK

As you live in Wales my very good friends who sponsor the Television Awards are based there too and VERY active and can help as Wales has maybe different routes to care,

Contact theses two people say Sam at Transgender Zone sent you. They will help!

The first is:
http://www.uniquetg.org.uk/ Numbers are on the right and as they are in North Wales they may even meet you in person
The second Is Rona Rees here she can help you do not have to be a member of either group for advice
http://www.beaumontsociety.org.uk/rona-rees/ you can call her btw.

There it is now over to you.
Just to say send them my love and keep us updated!