Station 68
Jessica Barratt
Age: 14 year old female
Patient
Patient's Story (Role player’s brief)
Patient’s Story
Opening statement: Hi doctor… I’ve been finding school hard lately. I don’t feel like I fit in, and my mum thought it would be a good idea to talk to the GP about it.
You are Jessica, a 15-year-old girl. You were assigned male at birth but have been socially transitioning to female over the past year. You now identify and present as female and sometimes wear female clothing.
You’ve recently been feeling increasingly uncomfortable at school. Although you haven’t experienced direct bullying, you feel out of place and unable to connect with your peers. There’s no one else like you at school, and you often feel “weird” or isolated. As a result, attending school has become emotionally draining, and you’ve become reluctant to go.
You mentioned to your mum that homeschooling might be a better fit for you, a safer and more understanding environment where you can focus on your studies while continuing your transition. This prompted her to book this appointment.
Social History: You live at home with your mum and sister, both of whom are supportive. You do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use any drugs. You are not taking any hormones, either from a clinic or online.
If asked about any other symptoms, say: “No.”
Ideas: You feel that your reluctance to attend school is mainly due to the lack of understanding and connection with other students. You believe homeschooling could offer you more comfort and emotional security.
Concerns: You’re worried that staying in your current school environment might affect your emotional well-being and make it harder to concentrate on learning. You also worry about expressing your identity openly without attracting negative attention.
Expectations: You’re hoping for support from the GP to better understand your feelings and explore whether homeschooling is a suitable option.
Questions for the GP:
Ask: “Am I allowed to use the girls’ toilets at school?”