[MomOfMeg]

Hi, I am fairly new here, and trying to navigate through the boards! Not sure where I need to post this but....

My 14 year old daughter has been diagnosed with gender identity disorder, depression, and social anxiety. Last year she was hospitalized with suicide plans and depression. She has stopped self harm and suicide talk. But...now she states that she wants to become a boy. She all of a sudden stopped wearing makeup, taking a shower, doing her hair, and is now dressing like a boy. I support her and listen to her when she will talk to me, but she always gets upset because I don't know how to help her. She seems confused and is easily irritated by how she feels. She sees a counselor twice a week and I am trying to find her a psychiatrist now, because this is not helping her much.

She cannot explain why she wants to become a boy, but does state that she wants to have surgery when she's 18 to fully change.

Anyone have any advice or have been through similar situations? I need help, and also feel alone in this since her father is against it completely. She is a great kid.....goes to school, gets average grades and has a great big kind caring heart! She cares about everyone, and even sticks up for kids who are being bullied. I feel bad that she is confused and is going through this!!! TIA!

[kaliope]

i wrote to you on your new member intro.........i think you will get more responses if you post in the sexual and gender issues forum
Sexual and Gender Issues - Forums at Psych Central

[BioAdoptMom3]

Our daughter does the same thing - has stated she wants to be a boy and wants the surgery, then suddenly she is straight, then the following week she claims to be gay, then bisexual. She has stuck with bisexual for quite awhile now. Our DD has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Interestingly she has not brought up the wanting to be change her gender issue since before he BP diagnosis and medication. We don't like it either (not because we have anything against it in general but she keeps changing her mind and we think its part of her mental illness) but what we have done is just tell her that we are her parents and will always be her parents and that we will always love her no matter what. Other than that we really don't think about it very much and she seldom brings it up.

Nancy