So you're not just talking about encompassing AD into the forum but other diagnosis' too? I have to be honest, I can see more negatives than positives in doing that.
This isn't about AD as a diagnosis, this is about ASD, PTSD and AD all now being a trauma and stressor disorder, which all three cover trauma from the worst to lesser events, though each diagnosis has its purpose which are all closely tied together. This forum already covers other diagnoses, as it covers anxiety disorders, depression disorders, dissociative disorders and so forth, as comorbid.
You already deal with some of the different types of stressors by providing My combat PTSD, and My sex abuse forums, (and I believe coming soon - a domestic abuse forum).
My Sex Abuse is failing overall. My Combat exists because experience dictated that veterans don't play nice with civilians, as a majority.
If you were to go down the route of changing the forum to 'general trauma', then you would likely need a lot of subsections for each of the various diagnosis'.
Yes, a lot of sub-sections would be needed, however; they are to discuss the trauma type, not for those who experienced that trauma type to discuss anything and everything. Think of each section as a direct discussable support mechanism for when thoughts of the trauma are at issue, not symptoms.
If you were to shift the focus from symptoms to trauma types then you make the other existing forums (Combat, SA, DV) defunct.
This is playing on my mind, yes... other than the combat for the above reasons. Otherwise I would bring them in as well.
There is something to be said about specialising in one subject rather than becoming a 'jack of all trades, master of none'.
This forum would still specialise in one thing... Post Traumatic Stress. The problem is that the DSM V has given us what we really all have wondered for a decade already, in that why isn't it focused on the trauma instead of the symptoms! It's a repetitive answer here, for a person not to focus on the symptoms and instead focus on the trauma. The trauma has always been the focus, but the forum has always reflected the symptoms because that has been the diagnoses focus. They have changed that now... shifting towards the trauma by re-categorising from anxiety to trauma.
The DSM, and hopefully ICD will follow, has given us exactly what we've known, felt and used to help ourselves. I go with the industry, which has always been this forums purpose... whether we agree or not with some aspects, the forum has followed the experts design. That is why CPTSD has never been perpetuated here, because it doesn't exist outside of a handful of left wings pushing it. They may get their way... at which point it would get focus here as well, IF it became part of the recognised mental health doctrine and diagnostic structure for post traumatic stress. Adjustment Disorder has been tossed into that equation now with its changes and recategorisation.
I do think that having a trauma section would perhaps encourage more talking about the actual traumas, and that seems better for recovery, than talking about symptoms.
That is exactly the point... well said. Trauma is our focus, the industry has now shifted to this focus, and thus the forum should reflect the industry of post traumatic stress. We already have undiagnosed here, because it is about the trauma of post traumatic stress. Adjustment disorder is just another addition... the problem is that it also covers lesser problems that could insult some sufferers in the realms of post traumatic stress.
There is an easy way to categorise members, and that is to simply force everyone to make a profile selection of their primary area (undiagnosed, PTSD, Supporter, Adjustment Disorder, ASD) as a banner on their account for ease of recognition.
Anthony, may I ask what options you are considering?
I'm considering a lot of things, yet discarding and adding all at the same time.
A long time ago the majority of the forum agreed upon shifting to supporting those with trauma, yet where undiagnosed. We added an 'undiagnosed' tag to the introductions, though otherwise many wouldn't even know who is, or isn't, diagnosed here, yet they talk with them often based on trauma endured.
There are many valid points raised already in relation to trauma, domestic abuse was a good one. Domestic abuse covers the following, some of which meet criterion A, other do not:
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behavior which involves the abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating or within the family. Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical aggression or assault (hitting, kicking, biting, shoving, restraining, slapping, throwing objects, battery), or threats thereof; sexual abuse; emotional abuse; controlling or domineering; intimidation; stalking; passive/covert abuse (e.g., neglect); and economic deprivation.
You will always get someone who feels they fit the category of domestic abuse because their little brother bit them, or some such thing. It technically fits into the above, yet if the child is just that, a child, children are children to some degree and parents simply need to step in. Kids fight between themselves, siblings... that doesn't make it domestic violence. Then you have some cases which are, being where maybe an older sibling is sneakily hitting, hurting their other sibling with malicious intent, constantly, ongoing, without the parents knowing, whilst also being threatened that they will be killed if they tell the parents. That child could live with that for years under constant threat and violence.
Unfortunately, if you had a DV forum you will get both types of people scream for help.
3 diagnoses that cover trauma and post traumatic stress, two of which have the same criterion A, and one which trauma can meet criterion A or not, yet still be an adjustment disorder diagnosis due to lack of all symptoms or severity. So maybe the question is simply... do we recognise it, or those with it who meet the level of trauma simply remain as undiagnosed, even if diagnosed with AD? Is that as equally invalidating them because they've been raped, mugged, assaulted, but don't have the severity, or all of the symptoms, for PTSD, but do have a diagnosis?
Trauma types would still be of those to meet PTSD... I don't think relationships for example, would go under trauma, as they have issues for those with trauma, but if that was the trauma, it isn't severe enough to warrant being here. There are lines... but finding them is a balance because they can cross to severe or what many of us would consider next to nothing. Domestic violence would be a name used here... yet as above, even that can have minor or major implications.
