Are These Symptoms Of Ptsd?

[Uvizu]

Hi All,

First off, I know that none of you can tell me if I have PTSD. I'm going to see a doctor for that, but I'm waiting on some insurance thing to go through, and, in the meantime, I'm trying to figure out if I actually do have it.

Ever since the accident, I don't feel like myself. I'm very jumpy and easily irritated when I'm driving my car. When someone else is driving, I can't stop staring at the road and feeling really anxious. I'm afraid that the tire is going to blow off (this is what caused the accident). When I'm driving, I constantly look at the speedometer and think "Oh god, this was the speed we were going at when we crashed". Sometimes I just stare at the picture of the car and I'm overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings.

I'm also very moody, I snap at my boyfriend for the smallest things and the other day I cried uncontrollably over something so insignificant that I didn't even remember what it was the next morning.

I don't have any motivation to work ever since the crash. This is not like me, because I'm normally very concerned about my job performance and stress over the smallest things at work. Now I just don't care.

I also feel dizzy at times. I got a CT scan and a bunch of other medical tests and everything looked fine, so I know the dizziness is not caused by a blood clot or anything like this. Some days it's better, other days it happens every 30 minutes or so. I can't quite figure out what triggers it.

I've also been having strange dreams. I don't dream about the accident though.. I have nightmares about other things.

I don't like talking about the crash, but at the same time I feel very uninterested in any other topic. It's like.. I don't care about the everyday stuff that all my friends and family talk about. I don't remember much of the crash either. Just the terrified expression on my boyfriend's face when the car was flipping over (he was the driver). Also, it doesn't help that I'm living abroad, so I didn't have family or friends around when it happened.

Not sure if I'm expecting someone to tell me if I have PTSD, or if I just wanted to tell someone about it. I feel like if I tell a friend about how I'm feeling, they would think I'm exaggerating. My boyfriend feels guilty about the crash, so I don't want to talk to him either. Has someone experienced anything similar? Is this PTSD?

 

[Nawanu]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

I didn't notice where you mentioned when the accident happened. There is a time factor for PTSD in that it can't be diagnosed until one month after the trauma. Up until this time, I believe that you would be possibly diagnosed with acute stress disorder. (If you have anything, PRAY that its only ASD as much of the time those symptoms can be resolved and won't develop into PTSD.)

I think its good that you're seeking out help now. You're right in that most of your friends wouldn't understand what you're going through. I think its best to stick to professional help at this point, but its ok to let your friends and family know that you are struggling. I just wouldn't get into details with them as this point, as many well intentioned people can still give off a dismissive attitude. I also think its good that you don't discuss details with your boyfriend as he has his own healing journey to go through (at the very least, resolving feelings of guilt).

Head trauma can take awhile to resolve. I'm working on 15 months post concussion and I still have issues. Even if you didn't hit your head, your brain is suspended within your skull so an accident like the one you describe can cause damage to the brain as it hits the skull. I'd keep track of your symptoms and perhaps seek out a specialist if they continue to be worrisome.

 

[Moniki]

A good therapist would be very helpful for you to sort through your feelings and help you find your way out and through.

Bear in mind that you don't need to have PTSD, or any other diagnosis, to deserve and need help through this.

 

[Edahu]

A lot of what you describe, ticks boxes for PTSD... though there is a lot not mentioned above that would need to be mentioned, and I suspect that will be when discussed with your physician. You could have PTSD, yes.

 

[Une]

I'm sorry to know that you have been in an accident. I hope that other than what you already mentioned you are ok. A car accident can be a very traumatic experience for some. It could take quite a while for things to settle down. If you are really finding it difficult to cope I would recommend you see a therapist. Regardless of whether you have PTSD or not you will probably need some professional support. All the best.