To ask, If you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, how did you get diagnosed?

[TheCatsPaws]

Mentioned my horrible flashbacks and nightmares on here and someone suggested I talk to my GP about PTSD. I do think I have a problem and I’ve made an appointment for today, however I have no idea what to say. I’m scared I’ll sound stupid.

If you don’t mind sharing your experiences it would help a lot. Thank you.

Thank you everyone, these replies are helpful.

I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist who came to my house - which seemed a bit weird at the time. I think because I was post-partum she wanted to see me with DS & make sure I wasn't about to murder him. I was actually the opposite and obsessively over-protective and careful.

Once I knew what it was and talked about it, I found the endless recurring flashbacks and horrific nightmares diminished greatly.

Don't be scared OP, it is better to get it sorted. Big hugs to you.

I haven't been diagnosed myself. But my mum was, her dad, my papa died 2 years ago today quite suddenly in hospital and my mum had her hand on his face when it happened and fluid ran down her arm from his mouth and to this day she can still feel it running down her arm. she was diagnosed after she tried to commit suicide in September just passed. She's on the mend now and getting the help she needs. I hope it's the same for yourself and you've caught it before anything more sinister happens.

Lizzie you need more help from professionals. I also had v complex PTSD but completely healed.

3 x EMDR sorted out my flashbacks, panic attacks, intrusive memories & insomnia, but I also did 7 yrs (yes 7 ) of therapy. Takes time to learn a new way when you've suffered for a long time x

So my Dr has given me a short term prescription of Zopiclone, and told me to ring up this number for some counselling. He doesn’t think I’m “bad enough” to need a psychiatrist yet. Last time I had depression though the counselling service wouldn’t see me because I was too severe...the psychiatrists said I wasn’t severe enough for them abc I was left in the middle.

We will see what happens.

I went to the Gp thinking I had post natel depression and was dignosed with PTSD. It was after a horrific birth and the nightmares and flashbacks. I also had a lot of resentment towards my husband unfairly as he was powerless and tried to advocate of my behalf but was just as ignored as I was. It came to a head and I spent about an hour screaming at him that he just stood by and didn't make it stop even though he found the have done. We very nearly split up as I could not bare him near me. Luckily treatment and therapy helped and we are fine now.

Counsellor diagnosed me.

I’ve always been a bit of a worrier, I think it’s anxiety & certainly social anxiety.

I had cancer then a fertility procedure that went horribly wrong.
Then 3 years later I have a baby that almost died & was airlifted to another country for treatment.

My counsellor is fab but I’m very open & honest too or else there is no point in going.

Gp prescribed me seraltine & diazepam. They help but I think I need my setaltine dose upped again.

Thank you, @CheeseyToast that's really encouraging. I am starting with another psychologist soon, she doesn't do EMDR, but she does trauma based CBT and apparently she's a specialist in dealing with my issues. And there are others in her practice that do EMDR so that's something I may well do later.

I know I need to get myself through this. I have 2 adopted DDs who need me to be whole.

GP thought I had PTSD, and referred me. Long waiting list until I got my first appointment, but EMDR has transformed my life. Initial sessions worked through the obvious trauma (stillbirth) but then carried on to work on underlying issues which had made me vulnerable to PTSD. So, so, so grateful to the NHS.

I was diagnosed through my maternity hospital - my ptsd was related to the traumatic birth of my son and my subsequent sepsis/poor care etc. I went through the birth after-thoughts process soon after the birth and they told me to come back to them if the symptoms I was displaying didn't improve and not to go to the GP (the midwife i dealt with didn't have a lot of faith in GPs or their budgets). I went back and they arranged a psychologist. I had EMDR and it was life changing, tough going but so effective.
I hope you get the support you need

It is so good to hear the positive stories about EMDR.

EMDR is hard going, but I can't believe how effective it has been. It hasn't just stopped the flashbacks and nightmares, but has boosted my self confidence too. I'm not seeing myself as a weak person who couldn't cope, but as a strong person who tried to cope with stuff that no one could be expected to cope with.