Harry Benjamin Syndrome (was DLV 2013 Attendee Survey report)

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This posting is from: Cynthia Phillips
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Hi Annie

Each year I always see the following choice on the survey: "You consider
yourself primarily to be?"

Harry or Harold Benjamin syndrome. Am I missing out on something? I've
never heard of it before. If it's fun, I'd like to try it. Do I need to
see a Dr. first? Should I see a Dr. anyway? Is it contageous? Please
'splain.

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(This posting was entered by Cynthia Phillips, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> Harry ... Benjamin syndrome. Am I missing out on something? I've
> never heard of it before.

Here's the way that it was explained to me. First of all, the term "Harry Benjamin Syndrome" is quite overloaded, meaning that it has a number of similar but somewhat different meanings depending on who is using the term.

To some, the term is a synonym for trans(s)exualism or gender dysphoria, a term which is actually falling back into favor with clinicians.

The term "trans(s)exual" is falling out of favor in some circles within the TG community. Some use HBS as a replacement. Still others see it as a related but different angle on the topic.

> If it's fun, I'd like to try it.

You may already have ...

> Do I need to see a Dr. first?

Actually, this is quite a bit of how it was explained to me when I first heard the term.

Some who identify with the term Harry Benjamin Syndrome believe that it should be treated differently than the classical cases of transsexualism or gender dysphoria. These people believe it should be treated more like other commonly-diagnosed conditions.

The example which was told to me was that when a person shows up at a physician's office coughing like mad, a diagnosis of bronchitis is made and a prescription of Z-Pak or whatever is issued with little formality. The person with bronchitis does not have to submit to counseling and get highly-coveted "letters" of approval to begin antibiotic therapy.

These particular individuals believe that the treatment, in this case HRT and adjuncts, should begin immediately upon diagnosis, as opposed having the individual go through the traditional course of counseling, other medical work-ups, etc.

There are other definitions of HBS, depending on who is doing the talking.

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This posting is from: Cynthia Phillips
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OK, so far so good, so much for the clinical definition. You still
haven't given me the symptoms. Let's back up; who the heck is or was
Harry Benjamin? I'm over my gender dysphoria; I'm perfectly happy being
a transvestite - homoerotic variety. Does that make me a gender queer?
Do I need a partner to have HB syndrome? Would it help if I did? Does
anybody else out there have it? Would it make me a better Diva?
Anybody interested? You know, we got into this a couple of years
ago, after Diva '11, I think, and never really got it reconciled. I
always knew I wanted to make a transition, but it's got to end
somewhere, right? sincerely, Lost in Space

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(This posting was entered by Cynthia Phillips, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> You still haven't given me the symptoms.

The primary symptom would be the same as that for what's called, depending on who is speaking and using what references, Gender Dysphoria, Gender Identity Disorder, Transsexualism, or any of various close-synonyms.

It's basically a discomfort with the traditional gender role of one's birth sex.

I do not believe that the term "Harry Benjamin Syndrome" appears in much, if any, clinical literature. It is, however, used as a label of self-identity by some. It's regarded by some clinicians as an attempt to bypass the usual and customary (and admittedly conservative) procedures for treatment.

> Let's back up; who the heck is or was Harry Benjamin?

The late Harry Benjamin was one of the pioneer researchers and clinicians in the field of gender identity and transsexualism. He is known best for _The_Transsexual_Phenomenon_, one of the very earliest texts on the subject, for formulating what became the Benjamin Standards Of Care (now known by some very long alternate name), and (LOL) for the "Two-S" spelling of "transsexual/ism/etc."

> I'm perfectly happy being a transvestite - homoerotic variety. Does
> that make me a gender queer?

"Genderqueer" is a recent term of self-identity and is quite overloaded, meaning it has various (but similar) meanings depending on who's speaking.

Some use the term genderqueer to mean "none of the above", as in are you male or female? Others consider it to be a distinct third gender. There are many variations on the theme and the definition is evolving.

Many of those (but not all) who identify as genderqueer adopt a very androgynous style of dress and presentation.

> Do I need a partner to have HB syndrome? Would it help if I did?

No, and probably not.

> Does anybody else out there have it?

Most definitely, but only a minority refer to it as Harry Benjamin Syndrome.

> You know, we got into this a couple of years ago, after Diva '11,
> I think, and never really got it reconciled. I always knew I wanted
> to make a transition, but it's got to end somewhere, right?

Transitioning is not always the answer. The most important thing is to take care of your mental and physical health. As to an "end", some do find that transition is the answer. Others learn to adjust. As we know from several examples, unfortunately, the end can sometimes be very tragic. Take care of yourself, everybody, please!

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This posting is from: Cynthia Phillips
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Thanks (Seriously) for those sincere and straightforward answers.
While trying to be lighthearted about it, I was indeed looking for
serious answers to those questions. Having only been out for three
years I'm still exploring the social and psychlogical landscape for a
Cynthia identity. I was glad to learn Harry was the guy who discovered
the syndrome and not the first sufferer of it; I didn't want to be
IDing with him if he was. Quite honestly it seems to be a comfortable
little niche to fit myself into while I'm still on the road to
self-discovery; its just obscure enough to have a mal-adaptive ring to
it - "So exactly where in the gaystream are you," she asked? "I have
Harry Benjamin Syndrome," I replied. - while being broad enough to
allow some social wiggle room. She scratched her head and thought
"Wow, poor thing." Thank you so much, seriously. (<% ~=20=20

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(This posting was entered by Cynthia Phillips, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> "So exactly where in the gaystream are you," she asked?
> "I have Harry Benjamin Syndrome,"

I might suggest that you don't use that term as a label of self-identity unless you positively understand what it means and truly think it fits you.

First of all, most people don't know what it means. Those who have heard it are probably going to assume that you are on the transition track but don't want to go through the normal course of counseling and such.

If you want something vague, just say that you have gender identity issues, which covers about everything there is on the TG spectrum.