Tapir on Nostr: Gosh reading this story has been so sad. Firstly, this will probably come with a bit ...
Gosh reading this story has been so sad.
Firstly, this will probably come with a bit of controversy but I am actually OK with treating dysmorphia with affirming care (as in, going along with it) if it seems to save lives in the mean time. Dysmorphia is an extremely difficult mental illness to treat, it's been described as behaving like schizotypal illness. I do believe our goal should be to get to a place where people don't feel the need to drastically change their body in incredibly invasive ways. But it's clear that is going to take some time to find out what method of care is going to work. So if they think affirming beliefs is currently better than trying to not affirm beliefs whilst learning more about this condition, then whatever.
(I say all this while also wishing a black plague will come and kill most of us lol)
However, I don't believe individuals under the age of 18 should be undergoing elective surgeries for body dysmorphia, full stop.
Anywho, Teens have such an active brain, such strong emotions due to not just a change in hormones but usually a flush of hormones, that their brains act more like a schizophrenics'. And, that's fucking normal. I hate to say it but the turmoil and pain and insanity that teens feel and portray is a fairly normal phenomenon. Not to say it should be ignored, because teens will still do crazy fucking shit like drink bleach and beat people to death etc. They need support but most of all they need some understanding.
She wanted to kill herself, but hospital shows no evidence of poison ingestion. I believe she wants to die, who doesn't. The hospital visit was mandatory because what if she did ingest poison? But likely added to the trauma. Taking her away from the parents is likely extremely traumatic. All because adults can't remember what it's like being a teen.
She's 14 years old. We look down on 14 year olds getting being parents, getting tattoos, joining the military, doing all of these other things that are permanent or life changing, because teens are pretty all over the place and change their minds quickly. But not getting a sex change? You don't really 'undo' that. That is a huge and serious change.
On top of mental illness being a popular topic among kids right now in an attempt to be different and special, teens are also just a tad bit insane. I remember being fucking insane. I remember changing my entire ideology and perception of self on a monthly basis, not sure who I was much less who I wanted to be. Teens have to test shit out for a while, but they are not giving this one the time and space for self discovery, they are seizing the moment on a young person whom basically has a schizo mind (for the time being)
FWIW I actually don't think the hospital calling her a male name and using male pronouns at her request is a bad thing, necessarily. They are not mental health professionals, doing what the patient wants within reason should be done in these cases (though rarely are) because they should be doing as much damage control as possible, as hospitals are horrible places to be in.
Anyway thank you for coming to my tedtalk. I usually don't involve myself in this shit but this story hurt my soul.
Firstly, this will probably come with a bit of controversy but I am actually OK with treating dysmorphia with affirming care (as in, going along with it) if it seems to save lives in the mean time. Dysmorphia is an extremely difficult mental illness to treat, it's been described as behaving like schizotypal illness. I do believe our goal should be to get to a place where people don't feel the need to drastically change their body in incredibly invasive ways. But it's clear that is going to take some time to find out what method of care is going to work. So if they think affirming beliefs is currently better than trying to not affirm beliefs whilst learning more about this condition, then whatever.
(I say all this while also wishing a black plague will come and kill most of us lol)
However, I don't believe individuals under the age of 18 should be undergoing elective surgeries for body dysmorphia, full stop.
Anywho, Teens have such an active brain, such strong emotions due to not just a change in hormones but usually a flush of hormones, that their brains act more like a schizophrenics'. And, that's fucking normal. I hate to say it but the turmoil and pain and insanity that teens feel and portray is a fairly normal phenomenon. Not to say it should be ignored, because teens will still do crazy fucking shit like drink bleach and beat people to death etc. They need support but most of all they need some understanding.
She wanted to kill herself, but hospital shows no evidence of poison ingestion. I believe she wants to die, who doesn't. The hospital visit was mandatory because what if she did ingest poison? But likely added to the trauma. Taking her away from the parents is likely extremely traumatic. All because adults can't remember what it's like being a teen.
She's 14 years old. We look down on 14 year olds getting being parents, getting tattoos, joining the military, doing all of these other things that are permanent or life changing, because teens are pretty all over the place and change their minds quickly. But not getting a sex change? You don't really 'undo' that. That is a huge and serious change.
On top of mental illness being a popular topic among kids right now in an attempt to be different and special, teens are also just a tad bit insane. I remember being fucking insane. I remember changing my entire ideology and perception of self on a monthly basis, not sure who I was much less who I wanted to be. Teens have to test shit out for a while, but they are not giving this one the time and space for self discovery, they are seizing the moment on a young person whom basically has a schizo mind (for the time being)
FWIW I actually don't think the hospital calling her a male name and using male pronouns at her request is a bad thing, necessarily. They are not mental health professionals, doing what the patient wants within reason should be done in these cases (though rarely are) because they should be doing as much damage control as possible, as hospitals are horrible places to be in.
Anyway thank you for coming to my tedtalk. I usually don't involve myself in this shit but this story hurt my soul.