Hi.
I'm a little unsure of what to write here. Three months ago I was diagnosed with PTSD. No one was more surprised than I. I am a veteran (although my PTSD is not military related) and I've known vets with PTSD and never thought that what is going on with me could be anything like that. Guess it goes to show what I know. LOL
Actually, I started therapy because I had all of these symtoms 'come out of the blue' and the worst was the anxiety and as it got worse almost daily, all of the other symptoms got worse. My therapist referred me to a psychiatrist to see about getting some meds to help with the anxiety. I couldn't understand why this woman kept asking me all of these questions and why the hell wouldn't she just give me a script for something so I can just go back to work? She then told me PTSD and I about fell out of my chair. She told me what I have, why I have it but I've had to find out on my own (AKA the hard way) how it has affected, is affecting and may possibly affect my life.
I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful support system with my husband and two daughters (18 and 14), family and friends. Without all of these people, I don't know where I'd be.
Work has been a different kettle of fish. My boss and I have been very close over the last five years. He's someone I've always been able to laugh with while dealing with all of the trials of a the work day. Then I told him what was going on with me. I guess you could say that was my big mistake. He told me that I needed to 'get past it' 'get over it' and 'stop giving in to it'. When I told him that if I could, I would but with this condition it's not something I have a choice in. Since then, he's treated me like I have something contagious and has even gone so far as to give me a written letter of warning for 'bringing my personal problems to work' when he found out I had spoken to a couple of people about what I was going through. Needless to say, something that I enjoy (my job) has now become something I just work hard to get through every day.
Another issue is my therapist. Or should I say my former therapist. She told me that she didn't agree with psychiatrist's diagnosis because my trauma wasn't 'bad enough' to be PTSD. Throughout the rest of the session whenever I would bring up a problem related to the PTSD and how I wanted to get some help dealing with it, I was told, 'You may think that you're feeling that way...' Not exactly a productive session. Usually when our session was over she would go to the appointment book and ask me when I wanted to set up the next session. This time, she walked me half way out the door and said 'Give me a call if you feel like you need to make another appointment.' Wasn't the warmest or fuzziest feeling I've ever had. LOL Fortunately through many, many phone calls I've found another therapist who specialized in PTSD and I see him on Thursday. This new therapist told me that one doctor not believing the diagnosis of another doctor is uncommon.
I've been poking around this site hoping to find some ideas/ways to help to deal with (what I call) this Big Bitch. Actually, just knowing that I'm not the only person out there dealing with it is a very big help.
Thanks for letting me ramble. :rolleyes:
I'm a little unsure of what to write here. Three months ago I was diagnosed with PTSD. No one was more surprised than I. I am a veteran (although my PTSD is not military related) and I've known vets with PTSD and never thought that what is going on with me could be anything like that. Guess it goes to show what I know. LOL
Actually, I started therapy because I had all of these symtoms 'come out of the blue' and the worst was the anxiety and as it got worse almost daily, all of the other symptoms got worse. My therapist referred me to a psychiatrist to see about getting some meds to help with the anxiety. I couldn't understand why this woman kept asking me all of these questions and why the hell wouldn't she just give me a script for something so I can just go back to work? She then told me PTSD and I about fell out of my chair. She told me what I have, why I have it but I've had to find out on my own (AKA the hard way) how it has affected, is affecting and may possibly affect my life.
I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful support system with my husband and two daughters (18 and 14), family and friends. Without all of these people, I don't know where I'd be.
Work has been a different kettle of fish. My boss and I have been very close over the last five years. He's someone I've always been able to laugh with while dealing with all of the trials of a the work day. Then I told him what was going on with me. I guess you could say that was my big mistake. He told me that I needed to 'get past it' 'get over it' and 'stop giving in to it'. When I told him that if I could, I would but with this condition it's not something I have a choice in. Since then, he's treated me like I have something contagious and has even gone so far as to give me a written letter of warning for 'bringing my personal problems to work' when he found out I had spoken to a couple of people about what I was going through. Needless to say, something that I enjoy (my job) has now become something I just work hard to get through every day.
Another issue is my therapist. Or should I say my former therapist. She told me that she didn't agree with psychiatrist's diagnosis because my trauma wasn't 'bad enough' to be PTSD. Throughout the rest of the session whenever I would bring up a problem related to the PTSD and how I wanted to get some help dealing with it, I was told, 'You may think that you're feeling that way...' Not exactly a productive session. Usually when our session was over she would go to the appointment book and ask me when I wanted to set up the next session. This time, she walked me half way out the door and said 'Give me a call if you feel like you need to make another appointment.' Wasn't the warmest or fuzziest feeling I've ever had. LOL Fortunately through many, many phone calls I've found another therapist who specialized in PTSD and I see him on Thursday. This new therapist told me that one doctor not believing the diagnosis of another doctor is uncommon.
I've been poking around this site hoping to find some ideas/ways to help to deal with (what I call) this Big Bitch. Actually, just knowing that I'm not the only person out there dealing with it is a very big help.
Thanks for letting me ramble. :rolleyes: