I Just Don't Understand So Many People Thinking They Have Ptsd.

[Pudol]

When people see PTSD that isn't there it seems to be emotional hurt or seeing things on TV. I don't remember anyone ever saying they got PTSD from accidentally smashing their thumb with a hammer and blacking out. People can see that as a normal life experience, however negative. Why don't they see divorce, cheating and emotionally distant parents as normal life experience too?

Some people seem to expect to go through life with no major struggle, hurt, anxiety or betrayal. If they experience those things their feelings have to be a medical condition.

 

[Erot]

Just look at flashbacks... TV has brainwashed people into thinking they play just like on TV, then state they have them based on a recollection of memory without trigger. PTSD is the same... TV is diluting what it is diagnostically for.

 

[Vika]

It would be easier if people had to say if they are diagnosed or are self-diagnosing before they start posting.

 

[Unan]

I did not take time to read all the responses, so if I am repeating: sorry. I don't think it matters too much what the source of the trauma is, death of a loved one etc., but how you process it. If a person does not process it in a healthy manner, so that they resolve it, then it can come out in an unhealthy manner such as PTSD.

 

[Ope]

I love the names and the iconic pictures you get on this forum.

 

[Sudem]

Actually, Unan, the source does matter according to the DSM. You can't be traumatized by being dumped and claim it caused your PTSD.

 

[Kanida]

I don't think it matters too much what the source of the trauma is, death of a loved one etc, but how you process it. If a person does not process it in a healthy manner, so that they resolve it, then it can come out in an unhealthy manner such as PTSD.

It matters. That's the point.

The thread is about is claiming PTSD because of having a difficult time or not resolving something. A difficult time isn't PTSD. It can't turn into PTSD if it doesn't meet the criteria in the first place. It can turn into complex grief, adjustment disorder or other things.

PTSD's a diagnosis. There are criteria. You either meet the criteria or you don't.

 

[Rolu]

@kanida wrote "It matters. That's the point.

My point is simply a traumtized person can develop PTSD; regardless of the nature of the trauma. I agree that someone breaking up with them should not cause PTSD, and if they, in fact, have PTSD then there is most likely another cause for it.

However I am not prepared to get into a pissing contest with someone whether the have PTSD or not, I would much rather show them support and help them get to a place of health.

 

[Emacin]

@vika wrote

It would be easier if people had to say if they are diagnosed or are self-diagnosing before they start posting.

I originally self-diagnosed, but my diagnosis was later confirmed by my therapist.

 

[Eteba]

My point is simply a traumtized person can develop PTSD; regardless of the nature of the trauma. I agree that someone breaking up with them should not cause PTSD, and if they, in fact, have PTSD then there is most likely another cause for it.

Completely contradicting yourself. If it's regardless of the nature of the trauma, why would someone breaking up with them not cause PTSD? To some people, that's a trauma.

I'm not in a pissing contest, I'm referring to criteria. Please don't denigrate or trivialise that.

Either it depends on the nature of the trauma or it doesn't. Would you please decide which side of that you agree with?

 

[Witehu]

... and how does wrongly misdiagnosing yourself get you to a state of health? If you have complex grief, treatment for complex grief is going to help you more than treatment for a condition you don't have.

 

[Sopodu]

Two of my brothers claim PTSD. They exist in stable jobs, stable relationships and have never been in therapy. They scratch their heads in wonder when I have a terror induced anxiety attack because of a loud noise where my mind decided my life was in danger. A lot of untrained and unqualified family physicians will happily misinterpret and misdiagnose because they too fall prey to the rhetoric flying about out there with regard to "what is traumatic enough".

I would happily give this up to someone else, it is not fun to live this way and I certainly get no enjoyment out of struggling to stay present in situations of stress, but I do the best I can because it is all I can do. When my two brothers ask why I just don't "get a job" or "leave the past behind me", or even when they try to empathize with me (and fail miserably because of their superficially coached responses) I really want to club them both over the head.

I do not know why someone would want to be diagnosed with PTSD - I personally denied I had it even after the tests and assessments showed I did. Maybe there is some kind of invisible Badge of Honor or Special Recognition that we sufferers are actually missing out on? Or is it just some deep seated need for attention?

I've lost people in my life, tragically and "normally". I witnessed a lot of tragedy and loss as a part of my job. I have grieved and have complexly grieved. I had experienced ASD (or Critical Incident Stress) on several occasions. One day I experienced something that nothing in this world could have prepared me for and I know now, this is not a simple matter of grief. The sheer involvement of body systems, physiological reactions and psychological repercussions dictates to my educated mind that this is not a simple cut and dry "period of adjustment" to a life situation.

In summary, yes, those people who claim PTSD and then want to talk to me about it - they make me very angry once they start regurgitating their text book symptoms and can't express to me the actual feeling of the experiences. Who in their right mind would want this? Real sufferers, we see each other, we know one another and we share the tears, we connect on levels those people will never understand.