transgender / adhd

by mary alice

My son was a normal 23 year old college student in Northern California that was diagnosed with ADHD a little over two years ago he has been medicated since then.


In the fall of last year out of the blue with NO behavior, indication, symptom, told us that he is a trans gender. He has been dressing as a girl for the past two months. He had a normal childhood with regular ups and downs and never displayed an interest in dressing or acting out as a girl.


The family history has a few (2) suicides and bipolar in his father, his uncle his paternal grandmother and a cousin on his mothers (me) side of the family. He was initially medicated with Adderall he decided not take medication over the summer and began taking Concerta in the fall when he returned to school.



He never displayed any gender identity issues as a child or until last fall. He is a good student and we sought help on the question of ADHD because one of his professors wondered why he studied so hard and was not seeing the results in his grades. After he took the Adderall he improved markabily in his grades.


This trans gender issue is so out of left field we wondered if he may have something going on. He saw a psychologist and after one or two 50 minute visits with her she diagnosed him as a trans gender. We went to meet with her to try and understand how she arrived at this diagnosis so quickly and she told us that she ran a list through her head and saw that he made more eye contact and was happier when she agreed that he was trans gender.

We need help to be sure he has had a proper diagnosis. Are we wrong to question this diagnosis? HELP!



Hi Mary Alice

No. You are never wrong to question a diagnosis. However, I am not an expert on trans gender issues. In fact, I know little to nothing about them. I think your impression of the psychologist not giving you a persuasive answer or thorough explanation of the issue is at the crux of your uncertainty.

Perhaps it may good to express directly to your son your concern about the psychologist and asking for some more information from him about what he has experienced. Obviously this is a sensitive area and subject for him. It may also be helpful , or be helpful to first consult with a specialist in trans gender issues who may have more information on how this originates.

Good luck to you.

Sincerely

Kristen McClure

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