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Medical Ptsd from my period (endometriosis)

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This one is more for the ladies...

I have several chronic illnesses and was bedridden for a few years. Still kind of am bedridden but I work from home so I can fake that I have a life.

I was recently diagnosed with Endometriosis and SOOO many things about my life are making sense, it's been an extremely emotional few weeks. Obviously, the most sense is why my period is so awful and nothing has ever helped.

My recent period was the first since my diagnosis and it's the first time I realized how truly horrific it is. All my life, I thought it was "normal." I feel ridiculous saying "My period gave me PTSD"- is this even possible?
 
Well there is unfortunately this "diagnostic criteria" for PTSD and some on here would say a pain condition would not meet the criteria. However, I have a severe pain condition that is periodic. The "response" to this condition is similar to PTSD. The conditioned response to the oncoming pain is like PTSD in my opinion, though I doubt you would get that diagnosis. Severe, stabbing, unrelenting, debilitating pain that makes a panic come on and that sudden feeling of "am I going to die from this pain?" Wishing I was dead so I don't have to experience the pain. A pain that comes and goes is living a life with a hidden terror and you just don't know when it will strike. Really sorry you are experiencing such a debilitating and painful illness.
 
Why would you say “my period gave me ptsd” when it’s such an oversimplification if the truth and glossing over of the facts?

I think if you tell people this, you’ll get a lot of eye rolls and “yeah, right” kind of responses.

Is it possible that subconsciously you’re looking for invalidation?

Just my thoughts.
 
It's not PTSD, but as some who has sufferd nearly 25 years with menstrual issues on top of ptsd, I can tell you that the hormones can mimic 'some' symptoms of ptsd.

It can lead to suffering that can share symptoms of PTSD. I wish I could say that you are lucky in the fact that your situation is more easily treated, but my experience has been that dr.s either don't take the level of suffering as serious, especially male ones, or they don't have the knowledge. I have found there is a huge lack in research. Hysterectomy seems to be the first option they give.

I feel for you.
 
Why would you say “my period gave me ptsd” when it’s such an oversimplification if the truth and glossing over of the facts?
...
Is it possible that subconsciously you’re looking for invalidation?

Interesting, would it make more sense to say that the "pain and trauma (along with the daily affects) gave me PTSD"?

I think perhaps I am looking for invalidation. Mhmm
 
Well, it didn't give you PTSD because it isn't the type of trauma that can cause PTSD, but it definitely could have caused an anxiety disorder and other mental health issues.

You can have something that shares some of the same symptoms as PTSD, without out having actual PTSD.

I understand the need for validation because what you are dealing with is awful but in a different way than the types of things that cause PTSD.
 
The "response" to this condition is similar to PTSD. The conditioned response to the oncoming pain is like PTSD in my opinion,
The key here are the words “like PTSD” and “similar to”. The symptom range for PTSD is pretty wide and overlaps a number of different diagnosis. The first thing though is that you need to have a qualifying trauma - which isn’t about experiencing significant pain on a regular basis, it’s about experiencing a actual threat to your life. No matter how painful, your period doesn’t constitute a threat to life, and I really know what it’s like to suffer debilitating period pain.

What makes you think it’s ptsd?
 
Endometriosis can possibly lead to several mental health conditions, particularly anxiety and depression. One doesn’t need something to be labeled as PTSD as validation it is awful.
Quoting for truth.

Endometriosis is a really painful condition, and I’m glad that it was finally diagnosed, @GettingBetter. Hopefully, one of the ways to manage it (not a lot of options, I know) will give you some relief.

Right now, the medical definition of trauma precludes endometriosis from having given you PTSD.

I hope you can re-read what @Justmehere posted, that I quoted, and really take it onboard - both depression and anxiety can come along with all disorders of the reproductive system, and they are in no way lesser than PTSD. They are just different, that’s all. There are different treatment options for them.

And, just because you don’t have PTSD from the physical pain you’ve suffered - that doesn’t mean that you might not benefit from some of the available therapies for trauma. EMDR could be quite useful for you.
 
Scanning through your posts... I think it’s pretty safe to say that your PTSD was diagnosed from your years of childhood sexual abuse & child abuse. That symptoms flare up during the stress of physical pain, medical appointments, surgeries, recovery, being bedridden & unable to manage stress with activity, etc. doesn’t mean that your PTSD was caused by your health condition, it’s “just” being exacerbated by it.

Especially when sexual assault is the culprit, any kind of reproductive system illness / injury is likely to drop kick you into the stratosphere.

It’s also a great big shiny distraction, because if you focus on the endometriosis? It lets you avoid focusing on the CSA.
 
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