View Single Post
 
Old Oct 21, 2017, 06:52 AM
scorpiosis37's Avatar
scorpiosis37 scorpiosis37 is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Apr 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 2,302
My advice would be to request all the records you want now. Once you have them, then I would gently tell the psychiatrist (during your next session) that you felt the use of language invalidate your experience of abuse. I would say it matter of factly, but without getting emotional.

I also want to validate your experience of abuse. At the same time, I would urge you to describe your abuse without using (unnecessary) transphobic/homophobic language. Referring to another human as "the transsexual" is dehumanizing and offensive. In this particular instance, it is also inaccurate (based on your own description). "Transsexual" means someone who has had sex-reassignment surgery (which you say your ex did not have). The term I think you are looking for is transgender, but it would be offensive to refer to someone as "the transgender." Misgendering your ex-partner is also offensive. People have the right to determine their own gender identity. They do not have the right to make you date them; not everyone is attracted to every gender! This person was dishonest and abusive towards you, which is not okay. But it's possible to explain that without misgendering them and using transphobic language, which is offensive to people on the forum who are LGBT (and who have also been the victims of assault). This person's gender identity is separate from the fact that they were abusive. I feel it's important to make this point because there is a lot of (unfair and inaccurate) stigma that LGBT people are abusers. Some are, most are not. In fact, the largest category of abusers is white men. You can't say all people in that category are bad because of the bad acts of one individual. It will also make you come across as more even-keel to your care providers if you stop using hate speech/the wrong terms when discusssing these incidents. Of course they should take the abuse seriously no matter what! But when you use hate speech, it can sometimes make it harder for other people to hear you (because hate speech can be really triggering and offensive).

Last edited by scorpiosis37; Oct 21, 2017 at 07:59 AM.
Thanks for this!
anais_anais, Anonymous45127, Elio, LonesomeTonight, nikon, NP_Complete, toomanycats