Can You Be Officially Diagnosed With CPTSD Even Though It's Not In The DSM-IV?

[frangipani]

I'm just wondering if anyone here has had trouble being diagnosed with CPTSD because it's not an official diagnosis yet (at least in the US...I don't know about other countries).

Also, has anyone been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, even though CPTSD seems more applicable, because it's the closest official diagnosis currently available?

 

[On the Outside Looking In]

The LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) that did my diagnosis specializes in trauma. For the purpose of the DSM-IV, she used PTSD for my diagnosis because that was the closest for me with my symptoms, history, and timeline. Borderline Personality Disorder is NOT the same as CPTSD, although they can share some of the same symptoms. I don't know of any circumstances where a therapist would chose to use the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder for CPTSD, but generally therapists who specialize working with anxiety disorders and trauma diagnose CPTSD under the "official" DSM-IV diagnosis of PTSD or DESNOS (Disorder of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified). Is it possible that someone can have CPTSD and Borderline Personality Disorder? I'm not sure. BUT....
In my opinion, diagnosing CPTSD as Borderline Personality Disorder is in actuality a misdiagnosis unless you truly have Borderline Personality Disorder. Hope that helps.

 

[pegasus]

It would not suprise me to see an inexperienced clinician improperly diagnose this. Any monkey can pick up the DSM-IV and say, "well he/she doesn't meet the criteria therefore it can't be PTSD or DESNOS". Here is the best way I can describe this in medicine the text books are typically 6 to 7 years behind what the actual evidence based medicine shows to be the most accepted treatments for patients. I have a feeling the same thing applies to this especially since in some respect it's a fairly young diagnosis.

 

[frangipani]

Thank you, On the Outside and Pegasus, for your replies. I continue to look forward to hearing people's thoughts and experiences on this.

***

Also, this might be veering off the topic a little, but do you think CPTSD will be classified as an anxiety disorder or a personality disorder? If this is an official diagnosis in other countries, how is it currently classified?

 

[TLight]

BPD is co-morbid, in a sense, with CPTSD..........I was diagnosed as CPTSD with BPD traits, very common.
CPTSD should probably be classified as a personality disorder in my opinion. I know that my behaviors are governed by my trauma.........seems anxiety is just a portion, albeit a large annoying portion....but just a portion.

How could my personality not be shaped by early trauma. Personality disorder I'd say, but this isn't my field. Plants and soils and water is.

 

[Nicolette]

I just asked Anthony and he said PTSD is an anxiety disorder. From what I know of it I would tend to agree with him as it is the anxiety caused by the trauma which then leads to differing behaviours.

 

[anthony]

The manuals for disorders are only written or revised about every decade. During these revisions, there are diagnosis that are created or changed, though the books do not reflect this, yet they are still very real and used even though the book reflects differently. These amendments and ongoing revisions are typically released through the journals. CPTSD is a recognized diagnosis and has an actual diagnostic criteria. So yes, you can be diagnosed with it as it is now a globally recognised diagnosis. We are merely awaiting for the publications to catch up with what is already happening.

A diagnosis like CPTSD is not just made up by physicians, it went through very specific testing, writing and a revision process. Every diagnosis within the DSM actually goes through this process during each revision, as to whether it will remain unchanged, be changed or removed dependant upon current global practice. The majority of behind the scenes aspects are released in the journals, which is where you need to be subscribed to remain constant with mental health.

 

[On the Outside Looking In]

:hello: Greetings from the U S of A:
Here in the United States its not so simple, Anthony. When we say "official" over here, it could mean a lot is riding on the diagnosis. Most US insurance companies, including public Medicaid and Medicare, and government operated medical and clinical facilities will not accept anything other than a DSM-IV diagnosis in order to pay for services, and in some cases, in order for a client to receive services or benefits. You can't get on private or government disability payments over here without a DSM-IV diagnosis. :wall:

This leaves US therapists, physicians, and clinicians to figure out :crazy: which DSM-IV diagnosis most closely matches their client for "official" purposes. So those of us who have been diagnosed with CPTSD officially in the eyes of the mental health professionals generally also have an "official" diagnosis from the DSM-IV handbook as well so that our needed services, prescriptions, therapy, etc. will be covered by our insurances or eligible for government aid.

In my case, I am officially diagnosed with CPTSD and "officially" diagnosed with PTSD. So there you have it. A Red Tape US government tangled mess done to keep everyone using a uniform system for diagnosis and on the same page, so to speak.

On the Outside Looking In

 

[anthony]

What you are saying is correct everywhere around the globe... yes. For Government / insurance purposes, it would need to match what is existing... I have had to go through all this myself, so I totally understand. 2012 will cease all these cptsd issues though with it making the book.

 

[teknisa]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD by a psychologist. She said that my ptsd is complex because I have multiple traumas of different types that was ongoing for the first 20 years of my life. There isn't just a single event to work past in my case, but many.

 

[Nicolette]

My understanding is that CPTSD is not just a diagnosis based on multiple trauma but ongoing/chronic trauma encompassed with entrapment or control by others from which the victim cannot easily escape. The trauma is such that it results in distortion of a person's judgement and sense of self. Difficulties with emotional issues are great to the extent of having little trust or faith in humanity, troubled relationships and a sense of hopeless for a future.

 

[anthony]

I was diagnosed with CPTSD by a psychologist. She said that my ptsd is complex because I have multiple traumas of different types that was ongoing for the first 20 years of my life.

More will be revealed with the DSM V in 2012... where it will all become official for insurance purposes... but it is still recognised now by the mental health field as a legitimate diagnosis.