PTSD

[Sofahugs]

Hi

I think I have ptsd, and was wondering if I should go to go for a diagnosis. The thought of doing so is really off putting, and I just don’t know if it will be worth it.

So, was wondering if anyone out there has experience of ptsd? Did you go to a gp? Did a diagnosis help in any way?, did you go private instead?

I know I need to do something, but feel like if I get treatment things will get worse before they get better 🥹

*should go to gp

I have it but it's classed as anxiety and depression. I take sertraline for it. I have had hours of counselling and I meditate and or exercise daily. It's now manageable.

GP definitely first place to go then see counselling for PTSD. It can be managed. Good luck op

I would speak to your GP and inquire about EMDR. It's really effective for a lot of people.

If you think you have PTSD you should go to your GP to be referred for EMDR, Somatic Experiencing or Internal Family Systems therapy. Talking about trauma without processing it can make it worse but these therapies are more gentle and effective. Some private therapists can offer a blended way of working with all or 2 of these methods and they can be really beneficial. I hope you feel better soon.

I have complex PTSD diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

I don't take any medication but the mental effects of knowing why I am the way I am and being able to understand that it wasn't my fault growing up had been life changing.

Thank you for your responses. I’m trying to muster the courage to go to my gp, but it’s hard. I feel like a fraud, but genuine. I can’t think straight or speak when I think too much about it, I don’t come across well. I don’t think I can ever express how I feel.

Hi OP! I have complex PTSD and was diagnosed privately by a psychiatrist after my GP told me I was “just a bit worked up”. I’ve had to pay for my treatment but now see a psychologist specialising in trauma weekly. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s saved my life on multiple occasions and I can now live a largely “normal” life. Happy to have a chat if ever you need one

PTSD can only be properly diagnosed by a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. And that's after several therapy sessions.

A GP may suspect PTSD but is not qualified to diagnose it.

Unfortunately PTSD is bandied around too much when in fact it's anxiety or depression. Obviously still distressing conditions.

I have PTSD. I had a year of talking therapy through a charity before I was able to talk to a GP about it. I was referred to my local iapt where I was officially diagnosed and waited around about 14 months for EMDR treatment which has changed my life. I have gone from multiple panic attacks a day and lots of other symptoms to just under one a month on average. I also meditate, do daily yoga and took sertraline while I was waiting for EMDR.
It can be hard to speak to the gp- I did it via phone appointment so I didn't have to look at their reactions, I also had notes and had researched exactly what I needed the go to do to access EMDR via the NHS.
If you can't speak to the GP even via phone you can write it down or take someone with you to advocate for you.

There are lots of different therapies available depending on how it is most affecting you. It is definitely worth speaking to your GP about how you are feeling and see what they say. If they refer you for psychological therapy then the therapist can help decide what would be most helpful. This may or may not be EMDR.

If you go privately then you might need to do a bit more research about what you want and then who can provide it. Best of luck.

Some professionals can have a real bee in their bonnet about the "over diagnosis" of PTSD which can be really unhelpful. When I went to the gp I said that they would be aware of my long-standing anxiety which I had been taking medication for for some time, but that my therapist had raised the possibility that PTSD was what was going on. This approach seemed to work.
I've seen one clinical psychologist for assessment via the iapt who was very through and said the diagnosis was relatively straightforward and was very "nice" for want of a better word, and a clinical neuropsychologist attached to the clinic for a neurological issue I was having who was frankly horrid and repeatedly stated that they thought PTSD was over diagnosed and had my abusive violent childhood really happened. They only stopped this line of questioning when I pointed out that I wasn't there to be rediagnosed, but supported with the psychological impacts of my neurological issue and that I couldn't be held responsible for the fact that my abuse happened behind closed doors and would they be asking someone with PTSD from a car accident if their car had really crashed. And this was after I had the diagnosis.
Having the formal diagnosis has been really helpful in terms of accessing disability support and explaining to people my symptoms or the accomodations I need, but l, like many mental illnesses, medics really do vary significantly in their understanding and support so it has been less helpful in those contexts.