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Ptsd - Do I Have It?

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LexiRose

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Ok, so I am a 21 year old girl who was recently diagnosed with PTSD from sexual assault. The event happened about 9 months ago.

Anyways, ever since the event, I have struggled with a lot of anxiety and depression. I have only had two visual flashbacks that I can remember and it was when I was engaged in sexual activity with my boyfriend, I just suddenly felt that it was the guy who did it to me, instead of my boyfriend. The smell of my boyfriends breath triggered the first one, and the second time, I had been crying and he tried to do sexual things while I was crying and that triggered a memory for me too. Those are the only flashbacks that I have had that were visual. I remember a couple of months after it had happened, that I was worried that this ex boyfriend of mine was going to find me and kill me and I had a hard time relaxing because of this.

I suffer from panic attacks too as a result. I was at the bowling alley with friends and they started throwing the bowling ball, and not going in order and it made me feel like I couldn't breath and I wanted to run out of the building. I didn't know why it had affected me that much. I struggle with a lot of guilt and self-hate. I some times feel like I'm going crazy and that I made this all up, and that I never tried to get him off of me when he was assaulting me. I'm just really confused because I had been professionally diagnosed with PTSD but when I talked to my therapist about it, she said she doesn't think I have PTSD because it has to be a life threatening situation. I don't remember how I felt during the actual assault, but I do know that I felt like he was going to kill me for months after, so if I felt that after, is it possible I felt it during?

I would like to clear up this confusion because I'm getting one message from someone and another from someone else. I don't really have any more visual flashbacks than those two, but I have had a lot of times where I break down crying and hyperventilating for no reason. My therapist says it because of current stress in my life. im just really confused about whether it is PTSD or not or just a normal reaction to the assault.
 
where I break down crying and hyperventilating for no reason.
I have had the same experience and it's not been because of current stresses. They've been triggered by current stresses, but these attacks are about the past trauma. I call these events anxiety attacks or panic attacks. They are for me directly associated with the trauma.

There is one situation I can remember where I shut everything down, memories, feelings, everything. I knew if the situation went on I was going to die. It took years to recover the memory. And, it was PTSD. Perhaps your therapist is confused about what you went through. What you describe here is pretty cut and dry PTSD to me (but I'm no a therapist.)

Be patient with yourself. It is possible that you felt your life was threatened at the time. However, there's no shortcut to getting back there. Do all of the footwork.
 
Welcome Brittany! I am so sorry you were assaulted & I think your t is tragically wrong & you should find a different one. If you were diagnosed who is she/he to question that??
You will find so much support & understanding here you are in the right place! :hug:s if you accept!
 
This is from a UK based site NHS, hope it answers some of your questions:

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder caused by very stressful, frightening or distressing events.
The type of events that can cause PTSD include:
serious road accidents
violent personal assaults, such as sexual assault, mugging or robbery
prolonged sexual abuse, violence or severe neglect
witnessing violent deaths
military combat
being held hostage
terrorist attacks
natural disasters, such as severe floods, earthquakes or tsunamis
PTSD can develop immediately after someone experiences a disturbing event or it can occur weeks, months or even years later.
PTSD is estimated to affect about 1 in every 3 people who have a traumatic experience, but it's not clear exactly why some people develop the condition and others don't.

Signs and symptoms
Someone with PTSD will often relive the traumatic event through nightmares and flashbacks, and may experience feelings of isolation, irritability and guilt.
They may also have problems sleeping, such as insomnia, and find concentrating difficult.
These symptoms are often severe and persistent enough to have a significant impact on the person’s day-to-day life.

Maybe see if you can change your therapist, because if she is not specialized in trauma after sexual assault, I can't see a way on how she is going to be able to help you process the trauma of the assault! PTSD can develop because of a life threatening situation. A sexual attack, can also be life threatening as well as violating!!!

P.S It is a normal reaction you are going through after the assault!
 
Yeah I was going to post but it would just be saying what @Saint Nik said in a different or round about way.

Have a good look through the site and arm yourself with as much information as you can. That's what I did when I was diagnosed and btw my GP said they didn't think I had it when I was first diagnosed.

Xx
 
First, welcome to the forum!

I'd say that if a qualified mental health worker diagnosed you with PTSD, then you have PTSD. Sometimes, there are mistakes made with diagnoses, but in your case, I don't think so. Moreover, the symptoms you describe sound like PTSD to me. What your current therapist is referring to is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual guidebook that says PTSD is associated with a "life-threatening situation." Well, sounds like if you felt your life was threatened, then you qualify. Rape, by definition, is force or the threat of force, including deadly force. An awful lot of rape and sexual assault victims get PTSD. Besides, you don't have to be the victim to get PTSD from a life threatening incident. You might also get it as a result of being close to someone who has.

In other words, you might want to consider a different therapist, one that specializes in trauma-related disorders. For now, do this:
  • Look up your therapist's qualifications, licensing, etc. That should be somewhere on the web. You may already have their PSY number.
  • I would ask your therapist to clarify why s/he thinks that rape isn't a life-threatening situation, especially since you believed your life was in danger. If s/he says or implies that your situation doesn't qualify as life-threatening, then fire her/him. Keep in mind they work for you, not the other way around.
  • Look for another therapist anyway, and maybe set up an appointment. Be sure to get someone that specializes in trauma-related work.
The first shrink I went to was a moron, so I know this must feel awful. But you've come to the right place by coming to this forum. We'll get you through this.
 
Ok, so I am a 21 year old girl who was recently diagnosed with PTSD from sexual assault. The even...
Brittany, it's awesome you found the courage to share your experience with all of us here. Lots of stuff, you are a survivor. I'm wondering only nine months after your assault you were diagnosed with PTSD. Please see what other mental health care professionals think about this. This is for starters. Have you hooked up with others who SHARE your pain? Many know about PTSD, some need to live in it to be able to touch you. It's a special awareness you have been given. It is now a gift. Sounds crazy I know, but you will see Peace
 
Ok, so I am a 21 year old girl who was recently diagnosed with PTSD from sexual assault. The even...
From someone who has come out on the other side after 6 years, I would say that you may 'now' be suffering from GAD Generalized Anxiety Disorder which in one sense is a 'cousin' of PTSD? Both PTSD and GAD are almost identical in behavior and easily confused. PTSD usually comes first and GAD follows.

Most people who suffer PTSD will stay away from places like Shopping Centres or places with lot's of people or loud noises. I used to walk in and want to freeze! I felt that I was being watched and judged! But now walking in shopping centres or visiting places like bowling alleys is much more easier.

In relation to the panic attacks, tight chests, struggling to breath and thinking you are going to die-these are normal feelings for PTSD and GAD victims because I suffered them all!

I wish you much happiness and know after time you will revert to your former self, but these things can not be rushed.
 
Both PTSD and GAD are almost identical in behavior and easily confused.
Nonsense... they're nothing even close, diagnostically or otherwise. Your response is written as though factual, when it seems more personal and opinionated to me.

Diagnostic Criterion Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A. Excessive anxiety and worry, occurring more days than not for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).

B. The individual finds it difficult to control the worry.

C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms being present more days than not for the past six months):

C1 - Restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge.
C2 - Being easily fatigued.
C3 - Difficulty concentrating or mind going blank.
C4 - Irritability.
C5 - Muscle tension.
C6 - Sleep disturbance

D. The anxiety, worry, or physical symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance.

F. The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder.

Click here for PTSD Diagnostic Criterion.

They're not cousins. They're not even closely related. GAD is an anxiety disorder. PTSD is a trauma and stressor disorder.
 
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