Undiagnosed Is It Possible That I Have Ptsd?

[jake.97]

Hello, I want to start off with this: there are people in this world who do greater things than myself, who are subjected to extremely harsh conditions while risking their lives for our country. I have a lot of respect and love for our military and police, but I fear that when I ask my question to people in general, they may automatically laugh at me.

Anyway, on to it then. I was in a motorcycle accident a while back. It wasn't the worst motorcycle wreck in history, but it was the equivalent to a potentially fatal car wreck at the least. Here are the problems that I'm having:

1. Immediately after, I refused to go near the wreck, not out of actual fear, but just out of it bothering me (a LOT). I have to drive through the area daily now, but I still have trouble with it.

2. The event itself is still difficult to get over. It still flashes back so to speak, and they make me feel sick. I do not even need to drive near it or see something associated with it. When I try to go to sleep some nights I can't stop thinking about it, and at these times I feel like I have anxiety (meanwhile I can't stop thinking about it). I do my best to distract myself, but it doesn't always stop the anxiety.

3. I refuse to talk about the subject. Especially details. This here is already a stretch for me. When people ask I get really upset and hold it back. I tell them I don't want to talk about it. If they push the topic, I get more anxiety and usually mad.

This is just a short list. I'm writing this on my phone so I wanted to be quick. There's more to it, a few other issues (ask if you need to know), but these are the most troubling. I feel crazy saying any of this, but having heard others stories, I'm not sure. Can you guys please let me know what you think? I don't want to come across as disrespectful, and I'm too embarrassed to go to a doctor who's helped people with way worse issues. I feel like that's a sure way to be judged by someone I'm supposed to entrust. Thanks guys

 

[Friday]

No one can diagnose you here, but PTSD is definitely on the table as a possibility. Serious MVAs (motor vehicle accidents), which it sounds as if yours was, are a pretty common cause of PTSD, and even minor ones can be enough of a stressor to activate longstanding PTSD from earlier events in your life.

PTSD isn't the only possibility, but yes, it is possible. Very much worth seeing a trauma specialist. Trauma specialists work with all kinds of trauma, as well as the many different possible results of trauma (PTSD, ASD, Anxiety disorders, Phobias, etc.). So whether your problems are PTSD or not? A trauma specialist will be able to work with you & either diagnose you or point you in the right direction for diagnosis. ((Not all therapists are created equal. Not only is there a huge variety in specialization, but also education. From A 3 week course to decades of school & supervised internships. Highly trained, very specialized practitioners who don't have the ability to diagnose usually have a short list of doctors they regularly work with & can direct you to, if a Dx is something you need.)).

 

[bring em all in]

jake.97- What you describe does match symptoms ascribed to PTSD. A doctor would be the one to make an official diagnosis, but you don't need one to participate here.

I felt like you seem to- that my traumas don't match what I think of in terms of PTSD. Some of that is my minimizing what happened to me Other times it is unneeded comparisons. PTSD can be caused by a variety of things- medical trauma, parent(s) who are/were verbally abusive, neglectful, or mentally ill. People can also have PTSD from observing others' traumatic experiences.

As to, "ask if you need to know" more, here we take it as we feel best- whatever you feel like sharing whenever you feel like sharing. Some of the things I love about this community are that I can go at my own pace, and people are so supportive and encouraging, and can relate to my experiences and offer information.

 

[jake.97]

No one can diagnose you here, but PTSD is definitely on the table as a possibility. Serious MVAs (motor...

Thank you for that. I know that PTSD is classified in %, so if I do have it, it certainly isn't very high. In any case, I think you are right. My post is more or less meant to verify whether or not I should go to see a doctor.

Something I forgot to mention is that I had major anxiety being anywhere near a road directly after the accident. My girlfriend was involved in a minor fender bender in a parking lot (not at all her fault), and I just remember being absolutely furious; probably because it was a similar cause of my accident (driver inattentiveness). Definitely causes some problems when people drive recklessly around me, ie jumping in my lane while slamming on their brakes.

Also, this is relevant for me... I'm a safety-minded gun owner. I don't want to go to a mental facility and have them ruin my background. Although to be honest, I haven't the slightest clue how that works. I know for a fact that I am perfectly stable around firearms, I don't become anywhere near violent when I'm experiencing any events that trigger (?) anything.

 

[jake.97]

jake.97- What you describe does match symptoms ascribed to PTSD. A doctor would be the one to m...

Thanks for the post. Yeah I can't stand telling anyone close that I'm worried I may have it; we have some military, LEO, and friends of both in my family. The last thing I want to do is offend them or have them laugh at me. But at the same time too, I know I'm not being a "wimp" or anything like that when I have zero control over these feelings.

 

[Friday]

Also, this is relevant for me... I'm a safety-minded gun owner. I don't want to go to a mental facility and have them ruin my background. Although to be honest, I haven't the slightest clue how that works. I know for a fact that I am perfectly stable around firearms, I don't become anywhere near violent when I'm experiencing any events that trigger (?) anything

<chuckling> The trauma therapist I started seeing a couple years ago works mainly with police & EMS. I'm neither but am prior service military. He not only actively encouraged me to spend more time on the range, but his office-rule was that if you weren't open-carrying, but conceal? To mention it at the start of session. He was perfectly fine with his clients being armed, as long as they were responsible about it. Just like he was fine with his clients driving, as long as they were responsible about it.

Having PTSD doesn't automatically mean you're a risk to others or yourself.

It's also fairly difficult to get into a facility, if that's the level of care someone needs, and it usually isn't. There are several different steps, and not everyone needs every step. To do a loose outline of levels of care?

- Therapy. (1x per month to Daily).
- Therapy + Meds.
- Intensive Outpatient (4-5 days a week, few hours to half days)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (4-5 days a week, all day, home at night)
- Inpatient (24/7 from 3 days acute emergency in general psych to several weeks/months long directed program, specifically for trauma)

 

[jake.97]

<chuckling> The trauma therapist I started seeing a couple years ago works mainly with police & EMS. I'm...

Thanks for your reply! I think I will try it out then while looking for a well rated doctor. I really appreciate your input with this. I suppose you're right about being a danger to others with a car vs gun, but we both know how that conversation goes with some, haha. That's why I was concerned. I heard something a while back about some sort of questions that doctors were asking about guns in the house etc, not sure how true it was.

And I apologize, by facility I meant anywhere that has any doctors associated with mental care, ie a psychiatrist. I think I used the term too loosely.