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Original poster

Trans teen ends their life after not receiving gender affirming care

64 replies

DysonSpheres · 11/07/2023 07:24

Article in the mail

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12282819/Noah-OBrien-teenager-committed-suicide-denied-gender-affirming-care-Westmead-Hospital.html

It's a tragic story. I feel very very sad for the young person in question and obviously his parents are in great pain. It seems his dysphoria was dismissed and not specifically treated, but this is phrased as not receiving 'gender affirmation' and I'm not sure what it means in this context it's a bit obscure in the article. In any case, sadly on this occasion the teen did resort to suicide.

Stories like these must be scary to parents with children experiencing gender dysphoria as 'suicide' has been said to be a risk of non-medical affirmation, delaying of puberty blockers etc.

This happened in Australia so I'm not sure what, if any support is available for trans identifying children and/or parents there. Specifically, it seems the child's care was dictated by having gone through puberty. That's the central part.

OP posts:
Whatwouldscullydo · 11/07/2023 08:29

That poor child. Why did they think, how did they come to believe that affirmative care would solve everything? This is why the online crap is so harmful. Too many people indulge the already vulnerable kid in what they " need" but aren't there 24/7 like their family and friends. They dont have to deal with the after math. They just get to play " good cop"

And this also begs the question why would we treat one delusion, ie the fact they think they are fat, but indulge the other. Neither is true. How does one separate whats the anorexia talking and whats the GD.

Such irresponsible reporting. Do they not have guidelines re suicide? Simplifying it to one factor was a huge no I thought?

PonyPatter44 · 11/07/2023 08:28

The poor kid, and poor parents. A relative of mine was on an adolescent psychiatric ward and 80% of the children there at that time were struggling with anorexia. One poor little girl was being force-fed, and the other children were required to go in their bedrooms while she was fed as it was so distressing to witness.

The body dysmorphia from anorexia could well have contributed to poor Noah's gender confusion as well. Itsnot a "gotcha" for anyone, it's just a bloody tragedy.

dimorphism · 11/07/2023 08:18

Such irresponsible reporting. Suicide is rarely down to one factor and implying that it is is harmful.

Also the implication that if gender confused children get drugs and surgery they don't need any mental health support and it will magically solve their problems is harmful. There is plenty of evidence this is not true ( detransitioners and those speaking up about the realities of pbs and surgery even for those who remain transitioned)

redreal · 11/07/2023 08:17

anorexia and identity issues in girls is often linked to ASD too

Original poster
DysonSpheres · 11/07/2023 08:09

Ofcourseshecan · 11/07/2023 08:07

That poor child, and her family. The teens are such a vulnerable age. And god damn the lies that persuaded her she was in the wrong body, instead of helping her love and accept herself.

Agreed.

OP posts:
Ofcourseshecan · 11/07/2023 08:07

That poor child, and her family. The teens are such a vulnerable age. And god damn the lies that persuaded her she was in the wrong body, instead of helping her love and accept herself.

Kevinscousin · 11/07/2023 08:01

Very sad. Anorexia is also one of the hardest mental health conditions to treat unfortunately.

MissPollysFitDolly · 11/07/2023 07:58

NotBadConsidering · 11/07/2023 07:53

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. The portrayal of this poor child’s tragic death as solely due to delay in getting “gender affirming care” is disgraceful.

Oh really? I didn't know that about anorexia.

Very sad that the teen took their life but the focus needs to be on mental health care.

Sunnyjac · 11/07/2023 07:58

@NotBadConsidering hit the nail on the head

Florissante · 11/07/2023 07:57

Anorexia plus gender dysphoria in a teenaged girl is a very bad mix.

Florissante · 11/07/2023 07:56

NotBadConsidering · 11/07/2023 07:53

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. The portrayal of this poor child’s tragic death as solely due to delay in getting “gender affirming care” is disgraceful.

I agree.

NotBadConsidering · 11/07/2023 07:53

Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. The portrayal of this poor child’s tragic death as solely due to delay in getting “gender affirming care” is disgraceful.

Igmum · 11/07/2023 07:29

Agree. This child desperately needed mental health support

ArcticSkewer · 11/07/2023 07:25

The central part was probably mental health related as the poor child was hospitalised with anorexia.