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Therapist-academically closeminded

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DorenBonét

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My Therapist doesn't believe in C-PTSD, although my exper is textbk. Wants to dxd me depressed, anxiety disorder. Force me to examine dad as bad guy. What he did was bad, he was good. The bad guy was MOM. Do I fire therapist?
 
My understanding is the CPTSD isn’t a diagnosis. Is it possible your T is just trying to use the DSM book which doesn’t include it? Have you had them long?
 
My understanding is the CPTSD isn’t a diagnosis. Is it possible your T is just trying to use the DSM book which doesn’t include it? Have you had them long?
You're exactly right. She said it's not is DSM becuz there is no difference between PTSD and C-PTSD. As an severely abused child, I know the difference. My sympathetic NS has never been dialed down by parasympathetic NS. I'm hyper-everything. How can I work with T that doesn't understand the delineation that exist between the 2 disorders.

Have you asked them why not? Can you show them Pete Walker’s book?

Do you have a good relationship with them? It’s not so much the training of the therapist (though that plays a part) that makes a difference in outcome, more the relationship. Are there any other red flags?
I showed her P Walker's book, told her he's telling my story page by page. She is seriously hung up on DSM5 that doesn't delineate between the two. Don't think I can deal with that level of academia snobbery and close-mindness. Thanks OliveJewel
 
You're exactly right. She said it's not is DSM becuz there is no difference between PTSD and C-PTSD. As an severely abused child, I know the difference. My sympathetic NS has never been dialed down by parasympathetic NS. I'm hyper-everything. How can I work with T that doesn't understand the delineation that exist between the 2 disorders.
That’s fair. Maybe ask that they read this and Ask their thoughts on it.
https://traumaticstressinstitute.org/wp-content/files_mf/1276541701VanderKolkDvptTraumaDis.pdf
 
She is seriously hung up on DSM5 that doesn't delineate between the two.
Well, it doesn't. And in certain parts of the world, they are required to diagnose based on the DSM (bureaucracy at its finest). It'll arguably the global standard.

That doesn't necessarily mean the treatment approach is going to be different. Seeking a therapist that is trauma-focused may help. Which isn't a case of 'firing' your therapist, so much as finding a better fit.
 
This site doesn’t differentiate betweenPTSD and C-PTSD (there is no sub forum or even a current thread about it!), yet still helpful. I was pretty surprised at how similar symptoms are for all us sufferers regardless of whether it was ongoing in childhood or distinct events in adulthood.

I suspect she is aware of the term but is on the side where they are the same. My T diagnosed me with PTSD based on my meeting the criteria. Not sure it makes much of a difference for how T’s work with clients? If it’s really important to you though, it’s your time and money!
 
I suspect she is aware of the term but is on the side where they are the same.
Ditto.

Especially because complex trauma exists -in spades- without meeting CPTSD criteria. Just like people can have trauma in spades without meeting PTSD criteria… and either meet the criteria for other disorders, or none at all.

I gave up caring during the rather heated argument years where everyone and their uncle’s cousin’s neighbor’s best friend was creating their own criteria for CPTSD. I’m one of those with complex trauma in spades. In some of those criteria sets (including Herman’s, & Walkers, & many others) I meet their idea of CPTSD. In countless others? I don’t. In all of them? The treatment is identical. So, the arguments all seem rather pointless. Yep. I’m complicated. Check. What I “have” though? Is PTSD. Plain & simple.

It was a relief to have the ICD lay down an initial Dx, just to attempt to begin to define things. As a living document, however, I expect that definition to change in further iterations. Sometimes more, some less. I do rather like that the DSM is holding off until treatment changes. Every other disorder has treatment unique to itself, in addition to what’s shared with other disorders. CPTSD doesn’t. It’s the same treatment as for PTSD. So -personally- I feel that the ICD & DSM differing on the ways they’re handling CPTSD, is a great example of having your cake and eating it, too.
 
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From what I researched, if you meet the criteria for cptsd then you meet the criteria for ptsd but just with some extra symptoms. Only some professionals recognise it as a separate condition.
 
CPTSD is recognized in the ICD-11. Your therapist might find this piece on the distinctions between PTSD and CPTSD in the ICD-11 useful.
Oh whoa. Lightbulbs going off here! Yippey. I will include that in my convos with her. Thanks so much.

Well, it doesn't. And in certain parts of the world, they are required to diagnose based on the DSM (bureaucracy at its finest). It'll arguably the global standard.

That doesn't necessarily mean the treatment approach is going to be different. Seeking a therapist that is trauma-focused may help. Which isn't a case of 'firing' your therapist, so much as finding a better fit.
Thanks Sideways.
 
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