Is It Worth It To Get Diagnosed?

[spongebob]

I have PTSD from time I spent in the service and it has impacted me personally but not as much professionally. I am almost completely socially withdrawn but because I turn to working a lot of hours instead of drugs if I were to apply for VA disability I would likely only qualify for 10% if at all which is listed at $127/month.

That seems nearly insignificant. Is that the entire amount for 10% disability or are there other items added to it like BAH etc. with normal military pay?

The other issue I have seen too many people struggle with drug addictions to be willing to take medication unless it was an emergency situation. What would be the point of being diagnosed if I don't even want the medication they will almost certainly prescribe me to help me?

 

[Nicolette]

Well all I can say spongebob is that if you have a professional diagnosis you then know what you are definitely dealing with. Am I right in presuming you are self diagnosed? Self diagnosis is never a good idea as while exhibiting symptoms to an illness does not always translate into having the specific illness.

I suggest you read this thread [DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/self-diagnosis-is-not-an-option.13882/[/DLMURL]

 

[Ted Moen]

It is worth it to participate in therapy, the diagnosis is just part of the process. You are not required to take medication. Ask for a clinical psychologist as your therapist (there may be a waiting list) and when you begin therapy tell your therapist you do not want medication.

Ted

 

[ISupportHer]

Just an opinion but I do see the advantage of a diagnosis. My analogy would be a medical disorder and you could pick any one of them. If you don't know you have hypertension, for example, then you may not get the treatment you need. Then you end up with further, more serious issues.

Having said that. I think there is something to be said for not sweating the fine points like differences in the diagnoses as long as you face, and deal with, the underlying issues. If that makes sense.

ISH

 

[Meadowsweet]

I think maybe it comes down to whether you see your social withdrawal as something you want to change.

 

[kers]

If you want to get any treatments (like therapy) covered in the US, an insurance company requires a diagnosis to process the claim.

 

[spongebob]

>I think maybe it comes down to whether you see your social withdrawal as something you want to change.

I don't care about the same things other people care about. I don't care what team Y did with their 3rd round draft pick or how many yards some player gained for a fantacy football team. I don't care what missing white girl Nancy Grace is spending this month talking about or what the Kardashians named their poodle.

I have other issues that I can/should work to overcome but that one specifically is one I really have no interest in trying to change even if it does make me a loner.

 

[Meadowsweet]

I have other issues that I can/should work to overcome

The point of getting a diagnosis is so that you can get the right treatment for the right condition.

There are many people in therapy who don't use drug treatment. So that would remain a choice for you to make for yourself.

Again, it is for you decide if you think you could benefit from therapy or not. But I don't think that choice should be based on what money you might get.

 

[cherryblossom]

If you have any issues that you want to overcome, (that you have been unable to overcome on your own), then it's very much worth seeing someone, and getting a diagnosis and getting the right sort of treatment for the issues that bother you. Without being diagnosed, it's very hard to seek the right kind of treatment. The best treatment for PTSD is talking therapy / CBT/ EMDR etc, (depending on your situation). Medications can help in the short term, but if you are dead set against them, that shouldn't be an issue.

I don't think being socially isolated is necessarily an issue. Whether it's a problem is down to the individual. If you're happy with your life, and don't want to change, then don't let social pressures make you feel like you need to change. Just be true to yourself. Changing is a scary prospect, but if changing might make you happier, then go for it. You can only give it a try. At least you won't have any regrets.

You could likely also find more help and advice regarding the VA, on My Combat PTSD. It is a sister site run solely for Veterans. You can log in there with the same username and password you have here.

 

[Inspired 2 B Free]

Spongebob,
I agree with those who recommend getting a professional diagnosis. It's not just about getting the disability payment. It's about getting proper treatment. There may be aspects of your condition you aren't aware of. I did all my years of therapy without medication and am happy to say (and my family agrees) that I am a different person. My main purpose for getting better wasn't for social reasons, it was for personal reasons. I wanted to be able to live with myself and not hurt others around me. I wish you all the best.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I don't care about the same things other people care about. I don't care what team Y did with their 3rd round draft pick or how many yards some player gained for a fantacy football team. I don't care what missing white girl Nancy Grace is spending this month talking about or what the Kardashians named their poodle.

Uhm, not caring about the Kardashians has nothing to do with PTSD...

And really, you don't know that you have PTSD. It could be something else completely, but you'll never know unless you see a professional.

 

[Heidi07]

Spongebob, I think it's important to get a proper diagnosis. For years, I was diagnosed wrong and it was frustrating to me. I knew that there was something else wrong with me besides just depression and I kept wondering, thinking,( googleing lol) etc. Drove me nuts. Like someone else wrote, it could be something different that's wrong with you or it could be a combination of things. Please go and see a doctor.

There is nothing wrong in applying for VA benefits. You may even qualify for more then 10%. You are entitled to it, so just apply for it.
I used to be apprehensive to admit that I needed help. A good therapist by your side is very important. I now look forward to seeing my therapist weekly and have formed a good trust relationship with her by now. Whatever your issues may be, it's important to talk to someone about it and it should be someone professional.
Wishing you all the best.