PTSD - how do you know you have it?

[ScaredButUnavoidable]

It’s been suggested to me that my ‘general anxiety’ (which is actually pretty awful) is actually PTSD in relation to 4 traumatic health events that I have been through over the last 3 years.

How do I know the difference?

I have been told to go and see my GP but it feels pointless as the minute I open my mouth to talk about it all, I just cry.

Has anyone had specialised treatment for PTSD and overcome it?

Thank you.

I have just had my initial assessment for a mh service my GP referred me to. Referral took less than a couple of weeks. Via some basic questions they assessed me at 61 points. The criteria for ptsd is 30.. Not a diagnosis but a basis they can work from with me. You can email your GP for a referral if you don't want to speak to a receptionist ime.. No shame on seeking support.

Do you keep going over and over it in your head? I have PTSD from health related events (life saving surgeries) and that is what it feels like. Like constantly re-living it.

I think of it as like your brain is sort of warning you about it maybe happening again, something like that anyway.

I was diagnosed by the MH team, referred by the GP. Been recommended something called intensive CBT but I haven't done it yet. Don't want to talk about it really.

It consumes me. I go over it again and again and again. Every day I’m scared it’s going to happen again.

This link from NICE may be helpful. Maybe write down some points for when you visit the GP and if you find it overwhelming you can just pass the note to them to read. For your own good please don't put off getting help.
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis/diagnosis/#diagnostic-criteria

You need a professional opinion but that sounds more like trauma than anxiety.
If it’s any help after years of therapy for anxiety I was diagnosed with CPTSD. And had a treatment called EMDR which was life-changing.
It is available on the NHS. I support into my life savings and paid privately, it was expensive but it’s not the type of therapy you have for years. I had about 15 sessions in total.

This is the standard definition of PTSD;

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/dsm5_ptsd.asp

I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist 10 years ago.
I’ve had various treatments, CBT, EMDR, plus various medications. Currently I take sertraline and propranolol.
I’m not an expert obviously but I believe that it’s something I’m probably going to have to live with for ever, to a certain extent. Not sure that a complete cure is possible. But I have learned coping mechanisms and the medication really helps.
see your GP and get a referral, please!

I got EMDR for PTSD on the NHS. The threshold is quite high , I had to advocated very hard for it.
The NICE guidelines helped.

It was life changing. Although I do find that now I am more present I experience everything, all my emotions , with more intensity.

Agreed. It doesn’t completely solve everything but it does dial down past traumas.
I had a brilliant therapist who was so patient.
After talking therapy got nowhere with me, it made such a difference.

I have a diagnosis from a psychiatrist through the mental health crisis team.
I had some really helpful therapy from a specialist r*pe therapist who taught me different ways to manage the flashbacks.

I was diagnosed with PTSD following several life threatening medical episodes & hosp admissions. Diagnosed by a counsellor , had intensive CBT & then EMDR. I had the EMDR on the NHS & it was life changing for me. The most bizarre experience but life changing. You have to totally commit to to it & just go with it, without trying to overthink/analyse.