Dr. Henry Paul, MD

Psychiatrist, Author and Educator

KUDOS TO THE MEDIA FOR BRINGING THE LGBT COMMUNITY MAINSTREAM

April 15th, 2015

Despite increased societal acceptance of homosexuality, coming out for those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender is rarely an easy task. Two decades ago there were no gays on television, but that has changed. Network TV’s first gay teen came out on the soap opera “One Life to Live”. Today, network television has gone a step further and now is introducing transgender characters. Just last month the soap opera “The Bold and the Beautiful” revealed a surprising story arc that introduced the first transgender character to daytime television; Maya Avant. In a USA Today article, CBS said, “The network says B&B is the only current show on broadcast or cable TV to include a transgender character as part of the regular cast.”

23005800_sTransgender characters and actors appear in more shows with the most notable being Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” and Amazon’s “Transparent”.

Following on the heels of B&B, Netflix and Amazon is Discovery Life’s new five-part series – a new reality show, “New Girls on the Block” that premiered last weekend. It is considered the first TV show to follow the lives of transgender women. It explores the lives of these women who are all in different phases of their transition.

It is evident that the diversification of today’s TV characters has certainly opened up plenty of discussions. Social media is abuzz with discussion groups about the characters, the shows and the issues they bring to the forefront. I welcome these shows and their diversity, and I hope that they expand the dialogue, understanding and support to LGBT individuals. Here is a link to the Huffington Post website with a good overview of how TV is changing the landscape for the LGBT community and furthering the very much needed national dialogue.

Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

WHITE HOUSE CALLS FOR END TO LGBT CONVERSION THERAPY

April 13th, 2015

Very interesting call last week by the White House to end the use of “conversion” therapy on LGBT youths. ABC News reported that the Obama administration is calling for an end to the use on LGBT youth of “conversion” therapy.

“This administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors,” Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Obama, wrote in a post on the White House website last week. This was triggered by the suicide of Josh “Leelah” Alcorn back in December.

Alcorn was born a boy who was dealing with an inner-struggle since he was four years old that he felt more like a girl. “To put it simply,” he said in a suicide note that posted to Tumblr after he died, “I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4.” Josh felt his parents were never going to accept him transitioning, and he wrote how as time went on he felt more-and-more isolated. In the end, Alcorn took his life in December by stepping in front of a tractor-trailer on an Ohio Interstate.

In the note, he said, “Please don’t be sad, it’s for the better. The life I would’ve lived isn’t worth living in … because I’m transgender. I could go into detail explaining why I feel that way, but this note is probably going to be lengthy enough as it is. To put it simply, I feel like a girl trapped in a boy’s body, and I’ve felt that way ever since I was 4. I never knew there was a word for that feeling, nor was it possible for a boy to become a girl, so I never told anyone and I just continued to do traditionally ‘boyish’ things to try to fit in.”

Stock photo 124RF

Stock photo 123RF

This is a sad situation, but we have to be careful not to be too quick to blame anyone. Sexual transitioning is being discussed more by mainstream media, and that is a good thing, but there is a long way to go. Thanks to social media, there are communities and groups that have formed to support those dealing with gender identity. These groups have also been educating society in general about gender identity and the struggles and hurdles that these individuals face.

Actress Hilary Swank who, 15 years ago, won an Oscar for playing murdered transgender teen Brandon Teena in “Boys Don’t Cry,” said last week on the Meredith Viera show, “I think we have taken strides since that movie……. But we still have a long way to go! ….”

The firestorm on social media set off by the death of Alcorn has called for an end to “transphobia”. The national dialogue has started and that’s a good thing. Let’s remember that “coming out” is a controversial issue and is not easy, especially for adolescents. Despite that you may have trouble accepting it, you should provide emotional support to your loved one. Click here for a list of guidelines for dealing with LGBT teens.

Here is a link to Slate.com with Josh “Leelah” Alcorn’s entire note.

Disclaimer
This blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

TALKING STDS TO YOUR KIDS

January 21st, 2015

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The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported in 2013 that statistics are showing that more than half of the 19 million people infected each year with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) are between the ages of 15 -24. They are diagnosed with either HIV or other STDs making this a serious concern for parents, educators and the medical community.

STDs are dangerous and affect both males and females. They are caused by both bacteria and viruses and are worse for females because they are often asymptomatic, which means the diagnosis is often made after the disease has spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. STDs can cause pelvic inflammatory disease which can lead to infertility. Studies are also showing that STDs can cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

While bacterial STDs can be treated and cured with antibiotics, the viral infections can only be prevented and treated (to some degree) but NOT cured.
Most sexually transmitted diseases can be treated if diagnosed early. For this reason, it is important that parents, medical professionals, and educators make sure to educate teenagers about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STDs.
STDs you get by having sex; genital intercourse or oral or anal intercourse with someone who already has a STD. There are two ways in which STDs are transmitted:

  • The “discharge diseases” are transmitted by infected semen of vaginal fluids that contact mucosal surfaces such as the urethra, vagina or cervix. These STDs include HIV, as well as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
  • The genital “ulcer diseases” are transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucosal surfaces, and these include genital herpes, syphilis, chancroid, and the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV now has a vaccine.

What to do to prevent STDs:

  • Any teenager, who is sexually active, should have regular check-ups for STDs, even if there are no symptoms.
  • Parents and teenagers should know the symptoms of STDs.
  • Talk with your teenager. Tell them that anal intercourse should be avoided, but the use of a condom is important if it is practiced.
  • Douching should be avoided. It may increase the risk of getting some STDs because it removes protective bacteria that live in the vagina and are necessary for good health.
  • STDs can be transmitted to a fetus, so treatment is necessary.
  • A teenager, who has a STD, should notify all sexual partners and sexual activity should be avoided while being treated for any STD.

Talk to your teenager about practicing safe sex! Basic prevention includes using a condom, getting vaccinations (i.e. Hepatitis A & B, HPV), and understanding how infection is spread. Most importantly, have an open line of communication with your teenager. Make sure your sons or daughters know that they can talk with you about such personal issues and that you will be there to help.

For more information, check out the Sexual Risk Behavior Guidelines & Strategies provided by the CDC.

DISCLAIMER

Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

MY CHILD IS GAY! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

January 15th, 2015

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Most parents love their children! That love is what will help parents to survive the initial shock of hearing that their son or daughter is gay. After a period of disbelief or denial, most parents can be counted on to be supportive. Here are some guidelines for parents to deal with their child’s homosexuality.

  • If your teen is gay or lesbian you should provide emotional support, despite the fact that you may have trouble accepting it.
  • Counseling and/or psychotherapy are suggested for teenagers who are uncomfortable with or uncertain about their sexual orientation. Therapy can help with adjusting to society in general. Make no mistake, sending a child for conversion therapy to change their sexual orientation has not been shown to work.
  • There are many local and national gay support groups (see list below) that can help a homosexual teenager to overcome some of the stigmatization and negative feedback that he or she gets.
  • It is extremely important that ALL teenagers understand the information about the risk for sexually transmitted diseases. Homosexual transmission of HIV is common and knowing the importance of condoms and other protection against such transmissions is essential.
  • A very large percentage, up to 95 percent, of LGBT teenagers report that they are often called names or threatened. As a result, they often skip school because they feel unsafe. LGBT teenagers are three-times more likely to be assaulted than their heterosexual peers. In addition, they are threatened and injured more by weapons. Additionally, lesbian and bisexual teenagers are more likely than heterosexual girls to be victims of rape or attempted rape.
  • Take care of yourself, too. Parents should make sure that they seek support, as well. Groups like PFLAG are available to answer questions and offer help. The most important thing for parents is to gain knowledge, be understanding, and most importantly be supportive.

In my next blog, I will discuss the STDs and Safe Sex for teenagers.

DISCLAIMER

Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.

HOMOSEXUAL TEENS “COMING OUT”

January 14th, 2015

15043553_sIn our culture, homosexual youths have to deal with a number of mental health issues. Ongoing discrimination fuels anxiety, depression and other stress-related mental health problems among LGBT people. In our culture homosexual youths have a higher suicide/mortality rate than heterosexuals.  It is estimated that 30 percent of all youth suicides are gay youths.

Many gay youths feel guilty about their sexuality and painfully different from their peers; they worry about the response from their families, are often teased and bullied, worry about HIV infection and other STDs, feel discrimination when joining various clubs and other activities, and often are rejected and harassed by other teenagers.  This leads to isolation and withdrawal, low self-esteem, depression, and sometimes trouble concentrating.  An added distress for gay youths is telling their parents and the fear of rejection.  (See my next blog about support for parents).

Often when teenagers become aware of homosexual stirrings they feel great confusion and attempt to deny and repress them.  This leads to anxiety, sometimes causing a teen to “run” for treatment to get the problem fixed.  They sometimes even make religious commitments to overcome the homosexual feelings thought to be bad or sinful.

“Coming out” is a popular term used when someone chooses to make their sexual preference known.  In most cases, teenagers will “come out” when asked about their sexual preference.  Over time, increased socialization with other gays tends to solidify the sexual identity of a homosexual teenager.  This decreases the sense of loneliness and isolation.  Some pride in being gay begins to develop.  Eventually, positive relationships with other gays and lesbians result in positive self-identification and ultimate integration and acceptance. This encourages teens to be open about their sexual orientations without defensiveness.  Increased awareness of homosexuality, and gay teens’ own growing self-acceptance and self-expression, hopefully will continue to reduce social prejudice against being gay.

Talking about your sexual preference or “coming out” is an uncomfortable issue for anyone.  For homosexuals it is also controversial. Just look at the gay athletes who in the past couple of years have come out in the NFL and NBA. How has it changed their lives; particularly their careers?  Homosexual teenagers see this and try to relate it to their own lives.  Who should they tell – friends, parents, siblings their doctor or coach?  The bottom line is that homosexual teenagers have to decide when and whom they are going to tell and how they are going to tell them based on their particular and unique families, friendships, and social adaptation.

It is not easy for teenagers to express their feelings, but in 2011, 183 teenagers provided their feelings to The New York Times “Coming Out” project.   Click on the link to read their stories.  You will come away with a much better understanding of what teenagers face and how they feel about “coming out” as homosexual   Here is also a link to the May 2011 NY Times article that outlines the project; “‘Coming Out’ – Gay teenagers in their own words” by Sarah Kramer.

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this blog is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical or psychiatric advice for individual conditions or treatment and does not substitute for a medical or psychiatric examination. A psychiatrist must make a determination about any treatment or prescription. Dr. Paul does not assume any responsibility or risk for the use of any information contained within this blog.