Symptom list for ptsd?

[MamaHopeful]

Hello.
I was mis-diagnosed for months before diagnosed as PTSD.
Is there a place that lists the symptoms, other than the diagnostic criteria that are so vague?
I'm having non-stop worrying - I mean NONSTOP worrying. EVERYTHING is worst case scenario and worry and panic. I'm convinced I'm crazy, and convinced it's not PTSD or anxiety sometimes. I jump to these wild worst-case scenarios and believe them.
Example: I walked into a rose bush this afternoon and thought I would be poisoned by the thorns!
Is this a symptom of PTSD?
Thank you so much!!

 

[EveHarrington]

I’m not quite sure what you are looking for....As it stands, excessive worry isn’t a ptsd symptom per se according to diagnostic criteria. Many “symptoms” are related but not official symptoms. Does this make sense?

 

[ILoveLife]

Diagnoses are not pretty box of symptoms where everyone fits, there are several other related issues that can accompany any mental health diagnosis depending on the person. That also doesn't mean you'll have x disorder for having one of its symptoms either.

Mental health issues overlap all the time, it's fairly certain to find (for example) one or more symptoms of depression with ptsd. Or from other anxiety disorders.

That can lead do misdiagnosis for sure.
It is confusing and diagnosing is an art form.

It can be beneficial to read upon a particular symptom you think you fit with, but its more beneficial in doing that to not self diagnose with a disorder just because you have one symptom of it. It hinders progress on the disorders or lack of them you actually have.
Besides, any mental illness is no walk in the park. As debilitating as that symptom can be, having the whole set of symptoms would be much worse.

With this said, excessive worry is connected to GAD.

 

[MamaHopeful]

I have had GAD my whole life that I treated with paxil but not regular therapy because it wasn't "that bad." I was diagnosed with this as a child.
Then the trauma happened in 1997 (aside from the C-PTSD that I had) and I had a panic attack during the trauma - BAD - and then my anxiety went through the roof. Nonstop panic attacks every hour and I was diagnosed with panic disorder. I treated that with benzos and paxil, and avoidance. I never, ever treated that trauma. Ever. Never.
Then another trauma happened this year and then I was misdiagnosed. Then things just went out of control from there.
Based on your responses I can see that I am having panic disorder and GAD again, on top of my PTSD.
My guess is that the more I work on my PTSD, the more my GAD and panic disorder will push back. I'll have to bring this up with my new psychiatrist and see if she agrees.
My doctor will not prescribe anything for the anxiety and panic attacks other than paxil as she believes it will make the PTSD worse in the long run and I will become addicted to benzos. I tried taking a xanax right after the trauma this time and it actually made my anxiety worse because of the side effects. I cannot take the other meds for PTSD or panic attacks because my blood pressure is naturally so low.
So, I'm left with needing to face these demons on my own.
Are there others with PTSD who develop panic disorder? I'd love to feel less alone.

 

[grit]

I am really sorry Mamahopeful you are suffering and experiencing these symptoms. did something happened that catalyzed this panic recently? I hope you keep people you love and enjoy around you until you find a relief.

 

[shimmerz]

Are there others with PTSD who develop panic disorder?

Absolutely. That is why I went to the doctor about it in the first place (hospital actually). I was having insane panic attacks at the age of 45 - which I had never experienced before in my life.

 

[MamaHopeful]

Thank you! This means so much to me!

 

[EveHarrington]

I have had GAD my whole life that I treated with paxil but not regular therapy because it wasn't "t...

I’m not quite sure who told you that the first line of defense for psych issues is drugs. This isn’t true anymore. Therapy first, then medication. Psych drugs are powerful so why risk long term damage to your body when therapy could fix the problem? Docs push drugs here in America because they know most Americans are lazy as fck and won’t make lifestyle changes. However, it’s always better to make the lifestyle changes before going on drugs.

 

[MamaHopeful]

I’m not quite sure who told you that the first line of defense for psych issues is drugs. This...

When my original trauma happened in 1997, the belief then was DRUGS. So, ever since then, any time I had any panic attack symptoms, I'd pop a little xanax.

Eventually my PTSD diagnosis went away. I still was a worrier, but I no longer had flashbacks or the other symptoms that would qualify me.

And then, BAM, in March it all came rushing back.

And now, I refuse to take any benzos at all, and the docs will not give it to me - but because I have never before dealt with my panic, paranoia, worrying, terror... my brain thinks benzos are the ONLY way.

I'm working on this belief, just like the million other cognitive distortions I have.

It's been a hard road since March. My brain feels like it's on fire with non-stop automatic negative and terrifying thoughts.

Michelle

 

[EveHarrington]

I’m not quite sure why you think that the only anxiety meds out there are benzos....

I take antipsychotics and mood stabilizers for my anxiety.

Are you seeing a psychiatrist or a GP?

 

[MamaHopeful]

Yes, I am.
She specializes in PTSD. She has me on paxil and that's it.
I have a severe drug phobia due to being drugged during my trauma.

 

[Nessa7]

I also have GAD and Panic Disorder along with PTSD, but I first developed Panic Disorder during my trauma. I do feel like different symptoms are worse at different times and that things will interact in weird ways.

My doctor will not prescribe anything for the anxiety and panic attacks other than paxil as she believes it will make the PTSD worse in the long run and I will become addicted to benzos. I tried taking a xanax right after the trauma this time and it actually made my anxiety worse because of the side effects. I cannot take the other meds for PTSD or panic attacks because my blood pressure is naturally so low.

This is confusing to me, because a lot of medications for anxiety increase your blood pressure and are a concern for people with high blood pressure. Are you taking any other medications that might cause an interaction? I've gotten relief from antihystamines, supplements, and other antidepressants. There are a lot of options.