Avoidance at diagnosis appointment

[RCD_VET]

So...I will be going to an appointment this week that will either give me a diagnosis, or a referral to someone who can diagnose PTSD. My question is how do people deal with avoidance when going to the doctor for a diagnosis? I am very good at not talking about anything related to the incident and have done so for quite a few years. It's catching up on me and I realize I need help in dealing with myself and have learned I can get help through Veterans Affairs. Not to sound cheap, but I realize there is a significant cost to visit a T and I'm sure the amount of visits I'm allowed will be based on the "severity" of my PTSD. Any coping methods people have used? Easier to have a list of symptoms and examples on paper for the doctor already prepared making for less questions, etc?

 

[Nessa7]

I like to have everything written down. It helps me with avoidance, but I think it is also a good idea when there is a lot of pressure to give someone a complete picture of my symptoms.

 

[LuckiLee]

I'm guessing the first appointment will be questionnaires to fill out. I'd make a list of symptoms and initial problems you're having to be able to discuss when needed.

I'm just guessing but I'll ask my Vet what you can expect when he gets home.

I don't know you but I'm very proud of you!!

✌

 

[MrMoonlight]

I had my first evaluation a few months ago and I know how stressful that can be. Your intake paperwork should cover most everything the doctor needs to diagnose beyond the in person appointment. Knowing that when under stress, I lose my ability to think, I came over prepared. I made a log of negative thoughts over a month period (never reviewed). I also, for the first time, constructed a timeline from birth to present day...as well as other personal observations and records. I had multiple traumas so it was useful as a guide and reference that we could both review having made two copies in excel. Maybe handing a copy of yours to the doctor would help with your avoidance.?

Truth be told though, I believe the 1on1 interview with the doctor brought out most everything he needed to see.

Wishing you the best.

 

[Freida]

Ditto to everything @Bleev said

VA doesn't limit amount of appointments and there shouldn't be a cost...have you done the disability request yet?

 

[RCD_VET]

Thanks for all the help! Just to be clear I will be dealing with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) so I'm not sure if the rules are any different. In Canada they have people working at Legions that help vets deal with VAC and follow all the procedures properly. I have contacted them and the first step is a diagnosis. Once diagnosed the disability request can be filed. I used VAC's webpage about eligibility for disability for PTSD that shows all the symptoms that can apply and wrote yes/no by each one with enough notes to help me out. My appointment is later today. I hope my family doctor can do the diagnosis (I have a medical questionnaire that just needs filled in by a doctor/psycologist) but if not I will get a referral today. Sitting down last night to make those notes was really tough. I've read through the list before saying yes or no but to me once things are written they are real. The section on how my emotions have been effected was the worst. Sure makes you feel non-human when you pretty much get to say you don't feel things and have a hard time connecting. :( My wife is a great supporter though and was there with me as I battled through a simple yes/no written word.

 

[scout86]

Good luck!

The first appointment with my T, I flat out told him I was really good at avoiding stuff and would avoid talking about things I didn't want to talk about forever, if he'd let me. He laughed, thanked me for doing his job for him, and said not to worry, he could take care of himself. :D (He was pretty much right.) I hope you deal with only awesomely good and competent people along your way!!!

 

[Freida]

My T and I were just laughing about this yesterday --- how I kept telling her there was nothing wrong at our first couple meetings.

@RCD_VET Canada is usually so far ahead of us that hopefully your journey will be smoother than what you have read on here about our VA :)

 

[RCD_VET]

I have a good family doctor that is making sure everything is all lined up how VAC likes to see it. No official diagnosis yet...just that he could easily give a provisional diagnosis.