For those not familiar with the term intersexual, the Intersex Society of North America defines it as:

“a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. For example, a person might be born appearing to be female on the outside, but having mostly male-typical anatomy on the inside. Or a person may be born with genitals that seem to be in-between the usual male and female types—for example, a girl may be born with a noticeably large clitoris, or lacking a vaginal opening, or a boy may be born with a notably small penis, or with a scrotum that is divided so that it has formed more like labia. Or a person may be born with mosaic genetics, so that some of her cells have XX chromosomes and some of them have XY.”

A vast majority of the time, doctors make a decision as to what sexual identity the child will have. Some intersexuals undergo surgery to “normalize” genital appearance. Other parents of an intersex child are told, raise your baby as a “boy” or “girl.”

Congratulatons! Your Baby is an Intersexual

As a parent, it’s a traumatic experience and confusing to say the least and most are not prepared in any way for the birth of an intersexed child. Thus they rely on the doctor’s advice…and from what I’ve read, it varies widely, from doctor-to-doctor.

For the intersexed child, there are years of doctors visits, not understanding your condition, feeling disconnected from your body, knowing that you are not like everyone else of your gender and the shame of living with that, being socially isolated, plus “feeling” your parent’s feelings about being an intersexual.

Which Brings Us to Our Guest …

Kailana is 39 years old.

“When I first realized I was different is a very hard question to answer mostly because my early medical life as a young kid was confusing. Too many doctors appointments out of town and out of state that I look back on and only remember crappy memories. Too many physical examinations and odd comments and questions. I ended up with a life as a kid and teen only being confused about what I was because doctors and parents kept asking me one question over and over, “are you happy as a boy?”

“The answer was simple, I am not a boy and apparently no one understood what those few words meant. I ended up being ignored and while I looked like a boy, sort of, I did not feel it.”

In 1993, Kailana received an official diagnosis of “intersexual.” She says “the diagnosis pretty much destroyed what little life I had held onto.”

We’ll be discussing the various psychological and emotional aspects of “being intersexual” (read Kailana’s blog post - Intersexual: Raised the Wrong Sex) plus a common question that spans all of mental health: How do you deal with a trauma or traumatic event that is seemingly beyond your control?

About the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show

The HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show airs live every Tuesday night at 5:30 pm PST, 7:30 pm CST, and 8:30 pm EST.  Our guest and HealthyPlace Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, will be taking your personal questions.

If you miss the live show, you can always click the “on-demand” button on the player and watch the show at your convenience.

Share Your Experiences on Intersexuality

We also invite you to call us at 1-888-883-8045 and share your experience - whether as an intersexual, a parent or loved one, or a medical professional. (Info on Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences here.)  You can also leave comments below.

Experiences as an Intersexual

Gender Confusion

When I first realized I was different is a very hard question to answer. Mostly because my early medical life as a young kid was confusing. Too many doctors appointments out-of-town and out-of-state that I look back on and only remember crappy memories. Too many physical examinations and odd comments and questions. I ended up with a life as a kid and teen only being confused about what I was because doctors and parents kept asking me one question over-and-over: “are you happy as a boy?”

The answer was simple, I am not a boy and apparently no one understood what those few words meant. I ended being ignored and while I looked like a boy sort of, I did not feel it.

Diagnosis: Intersexual

I cannot really explain myself better than this. I did not know I was intersex or even what intersex was until I was 22 years old and diagnosed with Adrenal Genital Syndrome and later with a XY/XO Karyotype that was explained to me to be Turners Mosaicism.

I hope that doesn’t confuse people but my diagnoses were in 1993 and many people make the mistake of assuming I am saying I am a Turners woman. Which I am not. I am an 45XO/46XY Mosaic Assigned male that is a true hermaphrodite by gonadal developement with some Turners features with Adrenal Genital Syndrome which is usually called Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia now adays. I have no official diagnosis for the Form of CAH I am affected by, although 17B is the most likely.

This is second and third-hand information, ie, this is a judgement by me based on information provided by others. I am still waiting for that first-hand official diagnosis that seems to be eluding me. For the last 16 1/2 years, I have been stuck with a XY/XO karyotype and Adrenal Genital Syndrome DX with no clarification or validation that both diagnosis are in fact correct.

The Impact of an Intersex Diagnosis

The intersex diagnosis, in 1993, pretty much destroyed what little life I had held onto. I lived as a guy. I served in the military for four years where I was diagnosed as being intersexual and left the service. Then I came home looking for answers and found none.

My local medical records were purged after I came home in July of 93; thanks to my mother. I have now spent 16 years looking for more information and ended pretty much being treated like crap by all the doctors and medical staff I have encountered because of the standards in place for treatment of intersex people. The medical standards used for decades has destroyed my faith in doctors.

Acceptance of Intersexuals and Intersexualty

The staff of the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show asked for information about family and society acceptance and I will make it clear that family can be the worst people to rely on when they are ashamed of what they have allowed doctors to do. I hope people understand that, in society, I am generally well-treated, it is the family issues of acceptance and the medical issues with acceptance that are difficult to live with.

Medically, I am treated or I should say not treated because the provisions of HIPA allow doctors to withhold information that they believe could be damaging. HIPA laws are being misused to hurt people like me who need answers and fair treatment in a so-called society that is supposed to be humane. Unfortunately, the medical world is not humane. The medical practitioners and their practices have contributed to more damage and harm to the entire intersex community than they or their forefathers could have ever understood would happen.

My apologies, but I am a well-versed Intersex activist who understands extremely well how crappy of a life a person can have when it is doctors and family who are hurting people, when they should be helping them.

I will close with saying that without my friends open, loving acceptance of me, I would have no life at all. See society is ready and willing to understand and accept people as Intersex. The medical world needs to open up our records and to share with the world just how varied humanity actually is. I will say that, hopefully, those with some clout do themselves a favor and ask for our permission first before sharing information about us, so that no additional harm is done when we find out that the world is being shown us when no one else will acknowledge who we are.

I hope this helps, although I sort of doubt that people will understand. An intersex diagnosis only really matters when those with the ability to understand it actually acknowledge them. Otherwise an intersex diagnosis just makes life difficult when no answers are available to explain it.

About the author:  Kailana is an Intersex activist.  She is 39 years old.  She’ll be a guest on the Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009 HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show on “Being Intersexual and What That Entails.”

Many associate it with eating disorders, but Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is an anxiety disorder which centers around being excessively concerned and preoccupied by a perceived defect in the person’s physical features (body image). It usually starts in adolescence, a time when looks can be everything, and affects both women and men. (Read: Body-Image Distortion a Growing Problem Among Women and Men)

The sufferer may complain of a single, or several specific features, or a vague feature or general appearance, causing psychological distress.  BDD can impair work and/or social functioning, sometimes to the point of severe depression and anxiety, development of other anxiety disorders, social withdrawal or complete social isolation, and more.

The Impact of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

This week’s guest, Rebecca, is a bright woman, age 27, college educated, and writes medical literature geared towards children. She says the symptoms of OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) appeared at age 7. By the time she was 22, OCD consumed her to the point she was unable to leave her home. “I couldn’t function in the slightest sense,” says Rebecca.

Rebecca finally found a therapist to treat her OCD. The therapist also recognized the symptoms of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Her issues revolve around perceived facial deformities. “I feel my nose is too wide. My chin is too weak. My lip lies too low on my face.”

All this has contributed to physical, as well as psychological and social problems, which Rebecca will be talking about on this week’s show.

About the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show

The HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show airs live every Tuesday night at 5:30 pm PST / 7:30 pm CST / and 8:30 pm EST.  Our guest and HealthyPlace Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, will be taking your personal questions. (Read Dr. Croft’s blog post on Body Dysmorphic Disorder)

If you miss the live show, you can always click the “on-demand” button on the player and watch the show at your convenience.

Share Your BDD Experieces

We also invite you to call us at 1-888-883-8045 and share your experience with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD).  (Info on Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences here.)  You can also leave comments below.

For some women, though, it’s a very trying time. Mood swings, insomnia and fatigue set in and get in the way of the mother caring for her newborn baby. On the extreme end, some mothers with Postpartum Depression end up committing suicide or even killing their own child or children.

What is it Like Living with Postpartum Depression?

Dr. Shoshana Bennett understands. She’s a survivor of two life-threatening, undiagnosed postpartum depressions and will be sharing her story on this Tuesday’s HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show.  Now an author and advocate for postpartum depression, Dr. Bennett spends her time appearing on radio and television shows and considers herself a pioneer on the topic.

Dr. Bennett’s books include:

• Postpartum Depression For Dummies
• Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

You don’t want to miss the opportunity to watch the show and learn from someone who has overcome what affects so many women today. And, of course, you’ll be able to ask her your personal questions. (Call us at 1-888-883-8045 and share your experience with postpartum depression.  Info on Sharing Your Mental Health Experiences here.)

Postpartum Depression Show Details

In addition to Dr. Bennett, HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, will be here to talk about Postpartum Depression and the dangers involved. Discussing symptoms, treatment and prevention may help you or someone you know get through this complicated time in your life.

As usual, the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show airs live every Tuesday night at 5:30 pm PST / 7:30 pm CST / and 8:30 pm EST.  If you miss it, you can always click the “on-demand” button on the player and watch the show at your convenience.

Please contact me at producer at healthyplace.com and share your stories with me. If there is a specific topic you’d like us to cover or if you simply have a question, contact us and we will do our best to get you on the right track.

Thanks!

Our guest, Aimee White, understands the problem. She has Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) and on the show, Aimee provided us with insight into how Social Anxiety Disorder has impacted her life; leaving her somewhat isolated and unable to eat around others.

Watch the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show “on-demand.” Learn what led to Aimee’s social anxiety and how she eventually took control of her life by researching her symptoms after being misdiagnosed. (Aimee’s blog on Social Anxiety Disorder is here).

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder is so much more than simple shyness. Healthyplace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, referred to Social Anxiety Disorder as “shyness to the max.”

According to Dr. Croft, those living with the social anxiety avoid public places for fear of being ridiculed or embarrassed over something they do or say. However, it is often difficult to avoid social situations altogether, so for sufferers battling Social Anxiety Disorder, being put in those situations may cause the following physical symptoms:

• Sweating
• Heart palpitations
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea

Healthyplace.com knows that suffering from a mental illness is not easy. We never want you to feel alone. With our newest feature, you can share your mental health experiences, comments and stories with others by calling 1-888-883-8045.  Take a minute to share and you just might be giving someone the inspiration they need.  The mental health experiences recordings are posted in a widget on the HealthyPlace homepage and the HealthyPlace Mental Health Support Network homepage.

Join us next Tuesday, October 27, as we talk about Postpartum Depression and the difficulties it can bring into what is supposed to be a  joyous time of life. Dr. Croft will be on hand to talk about symptoms and treatment of postpartum depression to get you back on track.

Watch us live at 5:30 pm PST / 7:30 pm CST / 8:30 pm EST. See you then!

It is often normal to feel this way before a major event is about to unfold. However, when these symptoms arise from everyday situations, it becomes debilitating and in it’s extreme form, can cause a sufferer to live a lonely life behind closed doors. It’s called Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) and we’ll be discussing it this Tuesday.

Extreme Anxiety Around Social Situations

Our guest, Aimee, understands Social Anxiety Disorder.  Her relentless symptoms have caused her to think twice about engaging in an activity that is simple for many of us to do: eat around others.

All my life I have been skinny- too skinny. Growing up, instead of fat jokes I got nicknamed “Chicken Legs.” In a society where meal proportions get bigger and bigger, I constantly heard, “That’s all you’re going to eat? Several times in my life, I have been asked by people that were just concerned about me, in all seriousness, if I had an eating disorder. So I began to not enjoy eating around others. I got tired of the jokes and the constant worrying that if I didn’t eat enough or perform just right that people might think something was wrong with me or that I have an eating disorder.”

Aimee is determined to help others that suffer from social anxiety, so don’t miss her story. And, of course, HealthyPlace.com Medical Director, Dr. Harry Croft, will be here to provide insight into Social Anxiety Disorder and answer your personal questions on the subject.

Do You or a Loved One Have Social Anxiety Disorder?

If so, how about sharing your personal experiences with Social Anxiety Disorder?  Call the HealthyPlace “Share Your Mental Health Experiences” toll-free line at 1-888-883-8045.

Healthyplace.com has extensive information on the signs, symptoms, causes and treatments of Social Anxiety Disorder, as well as other anxiety disorders. It is our goal to help people to be both informed and in good company. Come join the HealthyPlace Support Network and you will soon be sharing your experiences and learning from others.

This Tuesday we’ll be back at our regular time, 5:30 pm PT, 7:30 pm CST, 8:30 pm EST. Join us for the live HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show or catch any of our shows later on-demand.

See you then!

HealthyPlace.com is home to Sam’s extensive website on narcissism and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. On Tuesday, we’re opening a new section of his site dedicated to abuse, abusers, and abusive relationships. A second section focuses on personality disorders.  The two go hand-in-hand, as many abusers have some sort of personality disorder.  But it takes two to tango and, according to Sam, both the abuser and his prey usually suffer from disturbances in the regulation of their sense of self-worth.

We’ll be getting into the psychological profiles of abusers, how to spot an abuser before you get involved with him/her, and if you’re already in an abusive relationship, you’ll find out how to deal with your abuser and, specifically, the abusive narcissist.

Have a comment or story you would like to share? E-mail me at producer AT healthyplace.com. We’re here to provide the most up-to-date and trusted information on mental health.

See you at a special time Tuesday, October 6, at 10a PST, 12 noon CST, 2p EST. You can watch the show live, or later on-demand, on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show homepage.  As always, our guest will be taking your questions during the live show.

We’re going to be discussing the reasons why people overeat and then learn how to successfully manage your food addiction.  Join us for the live show at 5:30p PST, 7:30 CST, 8:30 EST.  You can watch and participate (we’ll be taking your questions) right from the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show homepage.  If you can’t make the live show, watch it “on-demand.”

After listening to our guest Patricia Gallagher relive her husband, John’s, failed suicide attempts, we understand that although he survived, there were many pieces left to put together. The Gallagher’s dealt with shame and initially decided not to divulge too much information to friends and family.

They also endured many obstacles, such as separation in their marriage and their teenage children who had trouble dealing with their father’s choices. Now an advocate for preventing suicide, John and Patricia don’t hide anymore secrets and want others to learn from their troubling experience.

In addition to Patricia, HealthyPlace.com Medical Director and Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Dr. Harry shared the warning signs of suicide. If you or anyone you know is displaying any of the following symptoms, professional help should be sought immediately to prevent a tragedy.

• Lack of energy
• Clinical depression
• Sleep problems
• Severe panic attacks or suffering from panic disorder
• Talking about suicide

Lastly, please remember that those who attempt suicide and fail are at increased risk of trying again.

To watch the show in its entirety, click the “on-demand” button on the player on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show homepage. To learn more about the Gallagher’s , visit their website at www.speakingaboutdepression.com.

On Tuesday September 29, we will revisit food addictions with our guest Caryl Erlich. We want to hear your stories so email me at producer AT healthyplace.com.

But what happens when the suicide attempt fails? It seems that situations such as these are not any easier to deal with.

Fear, Worry, and Stress of a Repeated Attempted Suicide

This Tuesday, September 22, we will talk with one family who lived through this nightmare. Patricia Gallagher watched as stress and depression consumed her husband’s life. John, a financial analyst, lived in constant worry over the stability of his job and the welfare of his family. After dealing with excruciating headaches, high blood pressure from the stress and weight loss, he decided he could not deal with the stresses any longer and made the life altering decision to end his life…but failed…twice.

Be sure to watch Tuesday as Patricia relives her husband’s failed attempts at ending his life and what they are doing now to keep their family together.

Dr. Croft will be available to discuss the impact of stress and depression and take questions on this or any mental health related questions.  You can read Dr. Croft’s blog post on Coping with Suicide here.  We also have comprehensive information on all facets of suicide here.

Have a comment or story you would like to share? E-mail me at producer AT healthyplace.com. We’re here to provide the most up-to-date and trusted information on mental health.

See you Tuesday at 5:30p PST, 7:30 CST, 8:30 EST. You can watch the show live, or later on-demand, on the HealthyPlace Mental Health TV Show homepage.  As always, our guest will be taking your questions during the live show.