S.A.G.E. Test?

Personally, I would wonder about how often this survey turns out to be reasonably accurate. I don’t know, so I would tend to look upon it as just a data point. There are no shortcuts when we are considering the possibility of life-altering changes so hopefully this will not lead to skip any steps...

Alexis, I look at a lot of these tests a bit skeptically. Too many times, there seems to be hidden agendas, who funds them, etc. concerns behind the scenes. I've taken similar types of tests before, and they have been all over the spectrum. And some questions are phrased to put you in a one size fits all box. Like that one about sleep. You only get to provide an answer they have selected. As in, I will sleep on my side, but I toss and turn from side to side. That option isn't available. One on one counseling with a therapist is best I think. You get the personal interaction, and a lot can be gleaned from the words and phrases and body language you use. Just my way of seeing things though. Michelle

Ha! I am exactly the same when it come to sleep! I guess what I liked about this test was that there was so many questions, I feel like it has a better shot at averaging things out for accuracy. Versus those like 5 question tests - what does that tell you!

That said, I get all the usual disclaimers, it's just one data point, etc. etc. Any online psych evaluation always says you should seek a professional.

Of course, you have to watch these "professionals" too. Read Laura Jane Grace's "Tranny." I'll never forget where she talks about the difficult time she had getting her therapist to sign off on her hormone therapy...you know finally sold it? She had to show up in a dress and heels for a session, and that's what it took. Of course, this was Florida, so...;-)

Ultimately, this seems like something that can only be self-diagnosed. A therapist can help guide you, but only you know how you feel inside.

Alexis, I'm in Florida & have never met with my therapist as anyone other than my female self.

Sorry - I didn't mean to offend! I'm just relating from Laura's experience, where she kind of indicated the Florida was a rough place to get help as a trans woman...I'm sure everyone's experience is different. My point is just that not all therapists are created equal, so if you don't feel you're getting the help you need, find a new one...

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It would seem to be a bit of a no-brainer I think...

I think self-diagnosis is never a good idea. It can lead to all sorts of places where we don’t need to be. The human mind will try very hard to make things easy for us. Think of times when we have a difficult, life altering decision to make or having to deal with someone that we don’t like or that we find very difficult to interact with. We don’t always go into these situations straightforwardly. Sometimes we procrastinate by thinking of other, seemingly more important things to do that will keep us from addressing the real issue.

As always stated, the key is finding a therapist who has experience in gender issues. Not everyone does, so sometimes that can be a major hurdle. What a therapist does is not to tell you what to do. The job is to get you to realize things that we try to avoid thinking about as I mentioned above. The guidance comes in to help maintain focus on what needs to be considered and to prevent us from skipping important issues or misinterpreting them.

Therapists, in effect, are charged with “getting it right”. Part of the process is to understand ones personal commitment to the journey of coming to grips with your gender identity. To me, one should have a very good reason to not show up dressed as your target gender. Anything less should raise its own set of questions...