“Self Harm and Depressive Thoughts Induced by Gender Dysphoria”
Female | 15 years old
Complaint duration: 1.5-2 yrs
Medications: Zoloft 75 mg daily for anxiety, Hydroxyzine as needed for anxiety, Zyrtec daily for allergies, Xulane patch for period control
Conditions: Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
2 Answers
PsychiatristSelf-harm1) I see that you have been diagnosed with anxiety and OCD. It is likely that these conditions are increasing the feelings you have and if treated properly, you would have some relief. The dose of Zoloft you are taking may treat the anxiety but is not treating the OCD part. In general the treatment of OCD is done with higher doses of the SSRI. Also, Prozac or clomipramine are first line treatments for OCD, so adjusting the dose of medication and/or changing the medication for a first line medication for OCD and reaching the right dose may help significantly.
2) The second point and as important as point # 1 is doing intensive psychotherapy with a therapist that understands gender issues and can help you along the way together with the medication. Choosing the right therapist is paramount in cases like yours. I am positive that if you do the right treatments, you will get the relief you deserve. My recommendation is that you do these treatments before you decide about any surgery. Many times, without the treatment you may still face the same problem even after any surgery. I hope tis is helpful for you. Best