Navigating the modern healthcare system is notoriously difficult for all of us. Everyone has a horror story, but all everyone really wants is fair treatment and the respect they deserve. For transgender and nonbinary people, going to see a doctor, dentist, or any kind of health care practitioner feels particularly fraught with risk. How will I be received? Will the doctors take my concerns seriously?
These worries are well-founded and can sometimes get more troubling. A transgender or nonbinary person may even fear for their personal safety even when speaking to a medical practitioner. This sounds impossible for many, if not most, of the mainstream world. Sadly, such fear is real.
Why Gender-Affirming Care?
Some people experience a difference between the gender they were assigned and the gender they feel they are. When engaging in something as personal and intimate as a medical appointment, gender identity can be treated without respect. If a transgender or nonbinary person is led to believe such disrespect is likely, they may opt to avoid such appointments. This is potentially damaging to their mental well-being and, of course, leaves them open to not getting the medical care they need.
Also, some studies point to higher rates of mental health disorders and suicidal ideation among the LGBTQIA+ demographic. Without support from the very people expected to assist with their health, trans and nonbinary people are put in a dangerous situation. Lack of support or safety in a healthcare setting can result in high rates of depression, self-harm, and social isolation.
The Role of Gender Dysphoria
When a person experiences an incongruence between their gender identity and their sex as assigned at birth, it can lead to a wide range of mental and emotional issues. Typically, this is deemed to be gender dysphoria. Someone with this condition may fear the stigma and avoid any and all medical care. This includes basic check-ups and tests. Without gender-affirming care, they are at risk for various physical and psychological problems. Any of these issues can ultimately turn into something life-threatening.
What Do Transgender and Nonbinary People Want in Terms of Health Care?
To feel safe and supported within the healthcare environment
Practitioners with an awareness of and innate respect for all sexual preferences and gender identities
Practitioners with solid experience treating transgender and nonbinary people
A facility that serves as a safe space for all patients
Resources to learn much more about what they feel and experience
Counseling to help with, for example, coming out to the people in their lives
Specialists in a broad range of supportive modalities and activities, e.g., speech therapy, hair removal, and much more
This is, by no means, meant to be a complete list. Rather, it serves as an illustration of how basic such care can be. It comes down to expecting and getting the same attention, respect, and accommodation that everyone seeks when getting any type of health care.
Ideal Starting Point: Therapy
All of the above represents the bare minimum, yet, as you well know, it is not always available. Instead of taking on the entire effort at once, it makes a whole lot of sense to pick a starting point from which you can tackle your needs in a methodical manner. This starting point, ideally, should be therapy. Working with a gender-affirming therapist affords you the type of connection you need to find further care.
As your counselor, I am there to work with you in a variety of ways. That’s why I am inviting you to reach out to talk. Let’s set you up for a free and confidential consultation at your earliest convenience.
