Could this be PTSD?

[sparkledawg]

I watched a really traumatic death of a family member last summer and since then have had - what I now realise to be - flashbacks, nightmares and a constant feeling of anxiety/depression/doom. I also have a constant stress headache, and often feel sick or achy, although there is no obvious cause for this.

I've recently read an article in the news about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and it sounded like some of my symptoms.

I wondered whether anyone could help me to shed some light on this? And advise me about the way forward?

Hi going to your gp would be a start and let them know the event and symptoms. Fr an official diagnosis you need a referral to a psychiatrist.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/Post-traumatic-stress-disorder/Pages/Introduction.aspx is the NHS choices website link. It gives types of treatment and details like having to inform DVLA if you have an official diagnosis, types of medication that may be used etc.

Thanks. I guess I worry that I'll be wasting the GP's time.

You don't think I will?

That is what the gp is there for! Hope an appointment is helpful. A gp will not necessarily be able to sort everything out in one appointment but if they think you have a mental illness they are the first port of call and can refer you for official diagnosis by a psychiatrist or to a mental health assessment team. Hope it is helpful for you.

The website I linked to you also says they can use watchful waiting so the gp may also listen and ask you to come back in set amount of time before referral, so think about what you want out of the appointment.

Oh, also it is easy to read articles and diagnose ourselves which is why it is as helpful to get a professional to rule things out as well as in!

I'm sure you'd not be wasting the GP's time. It's not usual to be feeling as you are - whether it's pnd or not. Poor you- what a horrible time of it you've been having/ had.

Thankyou very much for your answers.

It would make a lot of sense - from what I have read - if it is, but I don't want to sound stupid.

Everyone grieves after a death, don't they?

I don't think this feels like grief, in that I did grieve and I feel like I'm coping with the grief; I think that this feels different.

I just don't know.

A gp can help with that. It is hard to know what is normal and what is not but that is why dr's are there. It can take a while to get an official diagnosis but seeing your gp is the way forward.

Don't hesitate a or query about chatting things through with the doctor. Choose one who has seemed open and sincere and pop along for an appointment. ;) they see people for a lot less important stuff!

I don't like people diagnosing on here and I am no medic but it certainly sounds like PTSD to me. I know everyone is urging you to go to the GP and yes that is the first port of call, but sometimes GPs don't know very much about mental health. They can certainly prescribe ADs for your depression which can help once they start to take effect.

Write down your symptoms in a list form - it's a good idea and it ensures that you don't forget anything. Yes as someone else has said a psychiatrist can make the official diagnosis but you would need to be referred by the GP and I'm not sure how likely this will be. Ask the GP if they know anything about PTSD. There is a very good therapy for PTSD called EMDR or "Re-Wind" (you'd need to google them) but MNs who have PTSD speak very highly of these therapies. Apparently you don't have to go through all the details as you might with psycho-dynamic therapy. The trouble is that usually a GP will only refer you for CBT for 6 sessions which doesn't sound like it would be helpful for you, and there is usually a waiting list.

You really shouldn't worry about wasting the GPs time - you and other taxpayers pay their salaries and they are providing a service. They are well paid and have chosen their profession, so you have a perfect right to talk to a GP about your concerns.