Gender Dysphoric Kids

[Unveiled Artist]

@Shadow Wolf It seems like I'm asking the same question because I don't read the post before I quote. I just go top to bottom by quotes; so, any information you gave latter on, I wouldn't have known beforehand.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I’m pretty sure a medical expert in their relevant field knows how to diagnose and treat something like gender dysphoria. Regardless of age. It’s not like they just give kids sex altering surgery. This is sort of like saying, well how does a therapist know when a teen is depressed rather than just being hormonal. I think a medical expert is more than capable of figuring that out. Even if we don’t know the ins and outs specifically

It took awhile in mental health to figure that all out. They didn't take it as seriously. With the transgender thing, they'd probably have a better idea later on but of course there would be some ignorance or opposition because medical treatments, unless doctors are unethical, of course don't give treatments just because of say so. Since I don't know, that's why I asked.

Shadow Wolf was saying about seeing the gender/sex differences in the brain at autopsies but I'd have to look it up. The only thing I read about so far was chromosome errors. But I'm not sure what gender is to really know otherwise.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Generally for hormones you need a therapist who specializes in gender dysphoria who you need to see for at least a few sessions to get a letter of recommendation that you take to (typically) an endocrinologist.
For surgery you have to have lived full time as your identified sex for no less than one year. You also must have two letters of recommendation from two separate therapists who specialize in gender dysphoria. And from their, from what I have heard many surgeons who do bottom surgery will still have their own therapist interview a patient. It's a lot of work, it does get criticism, but it does help deter and detect those who for whatever reason aren't ideal candidates for surgery, and it does help keep post-surgery regrets low.

That sounds like a long process, I'm sure. Why a year and what does the endocrinologist look for?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Not to single you out specifically, but I assume that cultural norms of who plays with whose toys wouldn't be a factor of diagnosis, treatment, and surgery, no?

Why would this not be a factor? That is how we get toys that are designated for boys and toys that are designated for girls, and without prompting children will normally gravitate towards the toys of their birth sex. Those that don't, they aren't necessarily trans, but it's further supporting evidence for the claims made by the patient.

My other question was does the doctor do tests that test say chromone discrepancy (if that be the case) to determine the nature of the symptoms and said experiences?

As I said earlier, they don't have these tests. They don't exist. As far as we know the only significant indication is in brain structure.

Normally before diagnosis there are a good amount of tests but then in mental health psychiatrist give you meds for talking about the symptoms but not always because there is some sort of physical connection involved.

They do some testing in psychiatry. As I've mentioned, interviews are frequent. Assessments are common. Expectations do exist to recieve treatment.
And even with physical health, some conditions have no physiological signs or reasons. Such as IBS or fibromyalgia. They are diagnoses by elimination as there are no tests for them. Only reported symptoms.

I didn't say they needed to rush the decision.

As I've said repeatedly throughout this thread, it is not rushed. It can't be rushed. And it shouldn't, because those who do are often the ones who regret it.

 

[SomeRandom]

It took awhile in mental health to figure that all out. They didn't take it as seriously. With the transgender thing, they'd probably have a better idea later on but of course there would be some ignorance or opposition because medical treatments, unless doctors are unethical, of course don't give treatments just because of say so. Since I don't know, that's why I asked.

Shadow Wolf was saying about seeing the gender/sex differences in the brain at autopsies but I'd have to look it up. The only thing I read about so far was chromosome errors. But I'm not sure what gender is to really know otherwise.

Yeah because medicine is an ongoing process. I sincerely doubt medical experts today with access to the latest studies have much issues when treating a child with or even without gender dysphoria. Hopefully that treatment will continue to improve in the future. Puberty Blockers actually allow doctors to fully confirm or even deny later on whether or not the individual has dysphoria. Since they actually allow the child time to figure out their gender identity without permanent changes to their body occurring. That extra time for clarity sakes is exactly why puberty blockers are typically recommended.
Whilst there are limited studies into the long term affects of PB on the body, the few that we have suggest no long term adverse side affects. What we don’t know is the affects this may have on teens who are non binary or gender non conforming.
So why would we deny that extra time for potential clarity for a child?
Yes, we can measure the differences in brain scans of trans individuals compared to that of CIS individuals. Though I don’t know about NB or gender non conforming/gender fluid individuals

 

[Shadow Wolf]

That sounds like a long process, I'm sure. Why a year and what does the endocrinologist look for?

The endocrinologist does blood work, making sure things like kidney and liver functioning are still good (hormone treatment can be harsh on them), and to check for hormone levels to make sure they are at therapeutic levels.
A year is to give the patient time to live as their identified sex in all aspects of their life. Commonly it's not the first time we do go out and present as our identified sex to the world. However, for adult Male-to-Females, full time many times doesn't happen until facial feminization surgery because it does make a vastly huge difference for the adults who did have a male puberty. MtFs who did not have a male puberty do not need facial surgery as hormone treatment will make their face look female.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What we don’t know is the affects this may have on teens who are non binary or gender non conforming.

I would expect, long term, puberty blockers wouldn't be good as the body does need those hormones for proper function.
And as you mentioned, it's a pause basically. But this can make the difference between a happy childhood and a depressed childhood. Enjoying doing normal things, and being miserable and suicidal.

 

[SomeRandom]

I would expect, long term, puberty blockers wouldn't be good as the body does need those hormones for proper function.
And as you mentioned, it's a pause basically. But this can make the difference between a happy childhood and a depressed childhood. Enjoying doing normal things, and being miserable and suicidal.

Well the former does sound better.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Well the former does sound better.

It does. And the difficulties and hardships continue into adulthood if left untreated. Which can again mean things like difference between a satisfying sex life and an unpleasant one because the feelings of dysphoria are too strong.