Complex Ptsd & Depression

[Notsowild]

My psychiatrist has diagnosed me with depression too. I've been feeling more anxiety and strong SI lately. I've never had depression before so it's new to me. Aren't PTSD and depression similar? Are the treatments the same for both?
Thanks in advance.

 

[arfie]

As I understand it, PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder. Depression is not an unusual symptom.

 

[EmmaDancing]

In a few ways, yes they are similar, but I would say not really. Depression can be a symptom of PTSD sometimes, or depression can form as a result of longterm PTSD.The two often feed off each other. But depression is not the same thing AS PTSD.
Treatment for depression can include medication like zoloft or prozac, different types of therapy (obviously) and ECT. So yeah, a lot of the treatment is similar, especially when it comes to therapy. But in all honesty it depends on the person.
Hope this helped :)

 

[Lionheart]

Sometimes when one has a chronic illness, of any sort, depression will come along as a co-morbid disorder.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression may include the following:

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions,
Fatigue and decreased energy,

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness,
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism,

Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping,
Irritability, restlessness,

Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex,
Overeating or appetite loss,

Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment,
Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings,
and...

Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts.

One can Google the terms Depression and PTSD, to look at the symptoms to see the difference and similarities. I hope you find this helpful .

peace,
Lionheart777

 

[Chava]

I understand trauma as an autonomic nervous system injury, or dysregulation...or that's the bit of theory that makes most sense to me and how my symptoms work. Within that dysregulation you can have fight-flight energy, like panic (sympathetic nervous system overdrive) or numbing out or dissociation, or like "freeze" or pseudo freeze (parasympathetic overdrive), which would also be somewhat related to the feelings of depression. It's like the nervous system can't settle towards the middle easily. I relate to both panic and depression...was diagnosed with depression many years ago, but now I just seem to have pain which might be related to depression too.

As for treatment, it probably depends on the scope or kind of treatment. If it helps with coping skills and overall regulation, that could be good for ptsd and/or depression simultaneously. I need to do different things when feeling really down or slow, to sort of gently keep moving so to speak. When in panic territory, I need other things. Therapy has helped me pay attention to what my body needs in some of these more difficult states, so I at least keep taking care of myself even when I don't quite know how to "fix" it.

 

[Notsowild]

As I understand it, PTSD is considered an anxiety disorder. Depression is not an unusual symptom.

Thank-you. It's been over a year since my latest trauma. Should it come on so late?

In a few ways, yes they are similar, but I would say not really. Depression can be a symptom of PTSD sometimes, or depression can form as a result of longterm PTSD.The two often feed off each other. But depression is not the same thing AS PTSD.
Hope this helped :)

I've had complex PTSD for childhood sexual and physical abuse. I have ASD with panic attacks and severe dissociation but never depression. And as I said previously its been over a year since my last trauma. Just wondering why now? Yes very helpful thanks:)

Sometimes when one has a chronic illness, of any sort, depression will come along as a co-morbid disorder.

One can Google the terms Depression and PTSD, to look at the symptoms to see the difference and similarities. I hope you find this helpful .

peace,
Lionheart777

I'll do that. Thanks for all your helpful advice. I was actually thinking a few weeks ago I was getting better ... then Bam some symptoms started coming on stronger. More panic attacks, more suicidal thoughts and increased insomnia.

 

[Notsowild]

As for treatment, it probably depends on the scope or kind of treatment. If it helps with coping skills and overall regulation, that could be good for ptsd and/or depression simultaneously. I need to do different things when feeling really down or slow, to sort of gently keep moving so to speak. When in panic territory, I need other things. Therapy has helped me pay attention to what my body needs in some of these more difficult states, so I at least keep taking care of myself even when I don't quite know how to "fix" it.

It's affecting my day to day existence. I'm more tired ( no exhausted) and stressed at work. I feel more irritable towards my family and others. But poor nights sleep will affect PTSD / depression. I have a trauma therapist right now. He should also deal with depression???
And I have a terrific psychiatrist. I'm scared though - these thoughts and feelings are making me feel I might be going crazy.

 

[Chava]

Ask your therapist, he might have some thoughts. Irritability is connected to depression but I've also felt it with major stress, and possibly connected in with the trauma stuff...gets to be a jumbled mess. I was also getting so avoidant that I asked my therapist if she thought I might have a personality disorder, but she saw my symptoms within the context of my complex trauma, where probably nobody else would have because they didn't have all the background. So maybe your therapist will have some thoughts on working through the depression too, whether as a separate issue or somehow connected to your trauma. If nothing else, like you say with the sleep, it all gets sort of compounded.

 

[Lionheart]

I had to be medicated for irritability because I was "going off" on my family and friends. If I am not mistaken, it can be due to depression and to stress as Chava mentioned.

Regardless, when it reached a certain point I became willing to try medication. I am receiving a low dose of Abilify, which can have some nasty side effects, especially in larger doses, but I would carefully consider the pros and cons before taking this medication.

I am unaware of what else could be used to treat irritability as far as pharmaceuticals go. I do know that regular anger management helped, but was not the sole answer for it, in my case.

I wish you the best with your symptoms and while you may feel crazy, there is nothing automatically true about our feelings except that it is the way we feel...in other words you are most likely not crazy!!! ;):tup::happy:

Blessings,
Lion

PS: they tell me crazy folks don't question their sanity, so my bet is that you are safe. :D

 

[JEKBreatheandBelieve]

I've been struggling with the issue of depression and PTSD being linked lately. For me, I believe that my "depression" symptoms are really part of the PTSD. If you look in the DSM-5, under Criterion E, my "depression" symptoms fit. I have less interesting in activities and I struggle with positive emotions. I realize there may be some symptoms that fit under both. For now I am just going with the fact that I need help and support with everything that's going on mentally and I know it stems from the PTSD so that's where I am starting. Just keep talking with your therapist and psychiatrist and they should be able to help support you through this.

they tell me crazy folks don't question their sanity, so my bet is that you are safe.

I've been told this, too. So you aren't crazy, but that doesn't mean you don't feel that way.

 

[greenleaf]

@Notsowild -- are you able to exercise regularly?

Some doctors won't even mention it as a good treatment for depression for whatever reasons, but some recent studies showed it's as often effective for depression as medications. It helps ptsd symptoms for me too, lots. (Muscle issues, overall stress, sleep.)

Some of us do both medications and really regular exercise; it lets me minimize medications. The world just feels better after a session, for me.

http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression

I think that's partly why I did much better as a kid in later teenage years when I started running quite regularly, even without any appropriate outside treatment or changes in the home situation.

Perhaps some doctors won't mention it because lots of people don't stick with it (hard for depressed folks) and the doctors actually get discouraged from trying to get their patients to exercise. There are likely more dubious reasons too like the pharmaceutical lobbyists' influence in some cases.

 

[Notsowild]

Thanks everyone for your heartfelt comments. This depression is getting stronger everyday. Today I was so irritable and also felt like crying all day. I really don't think I can handle this. I've been through enough this past year I can't take anymore. Might need to go to the ER tonight if this gets any worse.