Do People Fake PTSD?

[useless]

I want to ask about what is a sore subject with me. Have any of you ever encountered someone who "faked" having PTSD? It seems to me that in the 90's PTSD sorta become the "cool" illness to have. I remember a woman who was shoplifting in Wal Mart and claimed the clerks gave her PTSD by detaining her for the cops. I just wondered what ya'll thought of this type of claim.

 

[CCurry]

You won't believe this but my bf had a work "friend" who faked having ptsd, he also faked being a retired marine. When I set up this man with a friend of mine stories started to unravel. He would tell her stories that happened to him during combat BUT they were the same stories as my bf who really did serve, he would have what we now refer to as DELAYED startle reflex. My bf would jump during a meeting (if there was a sudden noise) and then this friend would...it's become a big joke now. So many discrepencies came out and as it turns out my bf was able to confirm through his contacts that he never was a marine just a phoney one.

They no longer work together, they are no longer friends and thankfully this man and my gf are no longer a couple.

Stories like this and what you mentioned get me heated up!

C.

 

[Jagged Angel]

Oh yes, There are still plenty of people about like this. I've met a few (admittedly none like the fool CCurry describes) who claim PTSD from things like giving birth to a happy, healthy child with no complications and other normal life-happenings. I flew into a rage once when a student at my uni told me that they'd gotten PTSD from doing the HSC. And then there are the ones who think it's a grand joke to say things like 'standing in this line is giving me PTSD' to the laughter of their stupid friends. I digress, sorry.

Back to the point. It is still 'trendy' to have PTSD. As Anthony has said on a few occasions lately, it is well over-diagnosed, so it is not just the fault of the general public it's doctors who don't know what they're doing that are creating this mess.

 

[growingpains]

There will always be hypochondriacs and attention seekers in the world. I can see how on the surface people "could" be jealous of a person strong enough to look death in the face and survive...but the truth is in the pudding. Just because it walks, talks, and acts like a duck does not make it a duck. From what I have read on this forum so far people who actually HAVE survived traumatic events seem to have many more super-powers than regular people..that is how you know. :D Okay that was half-joking. But seriously, PTSD survivors and survivors in general are strong people and strength like that is hard to hide and well...PTSD is quite a difficult thing to fake. Why not choose an illness with clear-cut symptoms and reactions? :P

 

[Marlene]

My daughter's ex b/f. Yeah he was stationed in Afghanistan and is combat veteran, but he wanted out of the military and figured out how to do it by telling the doctors and therapists everything they needed to hear. My daughter is the one who 'outed' him. She said when she finally confronted him he admitted to the deceit. She said after living with my PTSD she knew what it was really like.

I felt like it should have pissed me off, but it really made me kind of sad that anyone would use this disorder for their own gain.

 

[useless]

Okay, first I see I violated the rules by not using capitals in my thread title. I do not see anyway to edit it, but okay, I got it now.

Secondly, I am glad to hear that others have seen this too. Makes me think I am a little less cynical than I figured.

 

[Grama-Herc]

I got really pissed one night I saw some kind of commercial on the TV using a "play on words" using the ptsd letters. It apparently did not go over well with the generl public. I never saw it again.

 

[tryintobreathe]

It's too bad the fakers couldn't actually live a few days in the life of a real PTSD sufferer. I know I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy..ok, maybe I would! I can think of one or two people.

Jen

 

[Honda70]

-Tryingtobreathe,

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I wish my attacker could experience for one moment the hell that I have gone through. Seriously, if someone claims they have it, too bad they couldn't live with it for a bit.

 

[onebravegirl]

I find this sad. I attemped suicide several times. Did I really want to die? Looking back I don't think I did. I was desperate. Desperate for rescue, terrified that I wasn't strong enough to out last the pain, and hopeless. Without any other solution I thought that it was my only option. I now know much better than that. But ..
Was I faking? Was I manipulating people?
OR was I a scared, messed up and wounded girl?
IMO people who "fake" mental illness are ill, weather thay know it yet or not.
O

 

[Tinyflame]

onebravegirl,

Can I ask, what do you mean by 'desperate for rescue'? Did you think someone else could change (those feelings)?
-Thanks-

P.s- Your posts are great :)

 

[Aine]

I think you will find people who will fake any disorder. I've met people who've faked anorexia, transgender disorder, serious medical conditions. Some people will do anything for attention, but like onebravegirl said, they are mentally ill in one way or another, just not the way they've been telling everyone.