Being Diagnosed With Ptsd Has Been More Painful Than Having It For Me

[junglegirl]

I changed after being diagnosed in myvhome country with ptsd-"a mental llness". Before, I did have symptoms but I was thriving at an ivy league school and getting slapped with a label- that is how I feel-slapped- I was continually dismissed and I feel disrespected by the so called mental health system. They tried to point out things I couldn't do, weaknesses instead of strengths and now I feel in my heart that that was all bullshit. They tried to invalidate me and essentially, in the united states you are invalidated if you are labeled with anything. It is a consumerist society and so people are products just like cans. The "mentally I'll" are disrespected so utterly it is a heinous disgusting form of societal control and. Those who survive things that most could never are treated as incompetent rather than a highly competent person as I am.

 

[xena21]

Before, I did have symptoms but I was thriving at an ivy league school and getting slapped with a label- that is how I feel-slapped- I was continually dismissed and I feel disrespected by the so called mental health system. They tried to point out things I couldn't do, weaknesses instead of strengths and now I feel in my heart that that was all bullshit.

Did you go to your college health center and get diagnosed? How exactly did you feel disrespected? I'm not trying to be difficult, I just need more information.

They didn't think you were able to continue your studies or do the things other students could do? What advice did they give you? Did they label you with a diagnosis you didn't expect?

After dealing with the mental health system did your classes get more difficult and your grade decline?

 

[junglegirl]

I don't understand your response. I excelled and have a graduate degree summa cum laude. I Am referring to incompetents in the mental health system. You have replied with inflammatory intent to my other posts so I will no longer be responding to you "xena21". Ciao.
Tatiàna

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I know you are not in school now but, you can get accommodations if you need them in college settings. They can be helpful. I am allowed relaxed absences, breaks, drinks in class and extra time on assignments. If I am having a bad day or week this is very helpful.

But I needed to show proof I have an illness so of course, I had to be diagnosed.

But I think mental illness is just like a lot of illness. It does not define you. There are some things I have to do or can't do becasue of my illnesses but it does not define me. You are still you under PTSD.

 

[junglegirl]

That is what I am saying ayesha but it is not how society or the mental health system considers people. I always knew that I was responding normally to an insane situation but clueless practitioners don't understand that about ptsd survivors.

I ignored them and did not let them affect me I graduated undergrad magna cum laude and grad summa cum laude. Ha! I certainly proved them to be clueless.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I think you are overgeneralizing a lot.

 

[junglegirl]

Have a good night I'm going to sleep early.

 

[junglegirl]

Also I do not know what you are referring to when you say relaxed abscesses. An abscess is a collection of pus. Perhaps you meant absences. Good nite.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

My fault. I did mean absences. Corrected...

 

[junglegirl]

Anyone out there with helpful supportive responses? Thank you I appreciate supportive thoughtful responses designed to support me and comfort me. I believe that is the point of this forum.=)

 

[scout86]

When you say "supportive" do you mean that you're looking for people to agree with you? So far, what I'm getting from the people that have responded to you is that they'd like clarification on some points. What would you find to be supportive?

When you refer to "the mental health system", it seems to me that's a generalization. I'm sure there are many people inside "the system" who react just as you're describing, and it sounds like your experiences were bad. However, the therapist that I see is also in the "mental health system" and your description doesn't fit him at all. I'm pretty sure the same can be said of many others.

Sleep well!

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Support yes, most of the time depending. Comfort you...no. Reality can hurt. A lot of people here don't sugar coat. What you should be expecting is down to earth responses and sometimes you will hear things you don't want to hear.

I happen to have a great therapist and a great psychiatrist. My first stay in the hospital was terrible but my 2nd one helped me change my life around and now I am in college. I think we are lucky to live in a time where there is even a 'mental health system', where the mentally ill are no longer chained to walls or housed in insane asylums. There is now research, medication and doctors, with good hospitals. We are human beings.

Yes, there are some big flaws I know. But there is help, it is possible to find.