LadyEllen
Posts: 10931
Joined: 6/30/2006 From: Stourport-England Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OneMoreWaste quote:
It also doesnt help the genuine - those of us who tell the medics what and how we really feel and think rather than the coached thoughts and feelings that we're supposed to have by reference to the testimonies of what I can imagine would be the majority of patients presenting for treatment. Sorry, I'm having a hard time parsing this sentence for some reason- are you saying that the majority are telling the truth, or giving pre-rehearsed stories? My impression OMW, is that very many who present for treatment are indeed rehearsing symptoms that they have learned is what they must say in order to get a diagnosis. Indeed, I would say that this is why patients are put through the hoops over years - like any good police officer, the consultant is looking to catch people out because he/she knows how many will lie to try to get a treatment which is not only not appropriate but also lethal when provided inappropriately. The problem really is that like with any diagnosis there are certain criteria that must be met - and the written text describing these criteria are so easily available that it really isnt a problem to pretend to them. The problem for the consultant is to distinguish between those pretending to them and those who are genuine - only a very good actor can maintain the pretence over time but too many get through regardless. I went to the gender clinic at Charing Cross hospital in London on three occasions when I was starting out. I got the full works in terms of the assessment process, trying to catch me out. My story is somewhat akin to most but it has some differences too and this caused some confusion to the consultants I saw as it would appear. But on the third visit, although the same "bad cop" approach was used at the start - the consultant concerned is known as the baddest of the bad cops there - by the close he was laughing and joking (even flirting) with me and told me to quit smoking before I came next time as it was clear I could have the go ahead for treatment. The atmosphere changed utterly - I had jumped the hoops and he was satisfied I was genuine even though I didnt match 100% with the stories told by most who turned up at his desk. To be fair, it is very, very, very unusual indeed for anyone to get the go ahead from Charing Cross in general or this consultant in particular, after three appointments. Many spend years going back and forth; whilst it was nice to have that for me I have to confess it was also a little scary to be told in a roundabout way so quickly that I was right! What was interesting about those visits too was the waiting room. I have to say it was always pretty full on each occasion. Only on one occasion however did I see anyone there who I thought might be genuine - by way of the fact that like me they were dressed as any natural woman might dress for a hospital appointment. The remainder were caught up as it seemed in the heady thrill of crossdressing, adopting attire that natural women really only wear for special occasions. So all in all my conclusion is that yes, the majority most probably who present are giving pre-rehearsed stories in an effort to secure a treatment which is the very last thing they need. I left Charing Cross hospital's care shortly after and went to a private consultant. He immediately prescribed hormones - which is odd considering the Charing Cross approach. He explained that he did this with every patient who presented as it was a quicker method of sorting the girls from the boys - the boys being those whose fantasies and shame have brought them to him. The hormone treatment removes the ability to get an erection or to ejaculate - for those pretending to symptoms this is a disaster of course and they stop taking them and hopefully drop the whole thing. Although I've also come across some who take the hormones and a good dose of viagra on top - that says something, no? E
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In a test against the leading brand, 9 out of 10 participants couldnt tell the difference. Dumbasses.
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