C-ptsd Diagnosable In The Uk?

[RedRose]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick question really: does anyone know much about the potential of getting diagnosed with c-ptsd in the UK? I don't know whether c-ptsd is what I have, but before I try to raise it with the therapist, thought it was worth asking if anyone here was from the UK and had been given a diagnosis of complex-post traumatic stress disorder.

RedRose

 

[GWhizz]

I don't have an answer to your question but I'm in a similar position and interested in whether it is diagnosed over this way - I'm actually in Ireland and I don't think much attention/validation is truly given to PTSD, cPTSD being pretty unheard of and unrecognised

 

[cherryblossom]

C-PTSD isn't a recognised diagnosis, and there is a lot of discussion about this subject.

There are several threads here . . .
https://www.myptsd.com/threads/read...m-cptsd-is-not-a-diagnosis.14005/#post-195490
https://www.myptsd.com/threads/what-are-the-main-differences-between-ptsd-and-complex-ptsd.26563/

And many more, no doubt, if you use the search function to search for yourself.

I would be wary of being diagnosed with a condition that is not recognised. You're in the UK. Check out the NICE guidelines - on a brief search I cant find C-PTSD as a diagnosis, but I also haven't spent much time looking. perhaps do a more in-depth search for yourself.

What would be more important is getting the correct treatment for your symptoms.

Also a therapist can't diagnose you - you need to see a psychiatrist, and spend some time with them so they can assess and diagnose you correctly.

 

[Lucycat]

I am in the UK and have been diagnosed with CPTSD by a psychiatrist.
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/posttraumaticstressdisorder.aspx
This document by the Royal College of Psychiatrists refers to it..

but despite all this , @cherryblossom is factually correct and it is not a 'legal' diagnosis.

However the question is why do you want the diagnosis? If it is to take to court then it needs to meet the legal criteria. If it is to access appropriate therapy then the diagnosis of CPTSD is acceptable.

Really it is up to the diagnostician to decide what diagnosis to give.

 

[RedRose]

Hi everyone, thanks for the replies.

It's a good question as to why I 'want' the diagnosis, although that's perhaps not a great way of phrasing it. Erm, I suppose it beats the alternative of 'personality disorder' which I don't feel fits me, and actually the term scares me, given how I've heard doctor-friends talk about their pd patients (just manipulative, attention-seeking, technically nothing wrong with them). It's such an undermining label and one I definitely do not want.

I also don't feel it applies to me, given that the vast majority of the symptoms occurred post-trauma/abuse. I've been a little on the fence in the past about diagnostic labels, sometimes they seem a little redundant, as long as you're getting the right treatment what does it matter, right?

And yes, I think it's probably possible to be boxed in by diagnostic labels, pyschologically or socially. But I think the reason I would like to at the very least get this recognised as 'post-traumatic' if not actually c-ptsd is for me personally, not really for anybody else's sake. It would serve as a validation for everything that happened, having it recognised by the medical institution feels infinitely preferable to continuing to fight against a 'personality disorder' label that doesn't fit and that, once again, I find myself feeling totally undermined and invalidated by. That scares me.

The other reason would be, that when the time came, it can be a very useful way of framing things for other people when trying to explain. I've been wholly invalidated and undermined in the past, to the extent the 'abusers' managed to convince people very close to me that I was defective all along, that all of the post-traumatic problems I was having had in fact always been there, that it was just me, and so no trauma help should be given because I was just cognitively dysfunctional all along.

Having some kind of label like c-ptsd (or post-traumatic) would mean I would at least have that to 'stick' to, although actually I think I would rarely ever share it with anyone. When someone says 'oh no, you've got it all wrong, she was lovely, she would never do that', then at least I would have that little label, even though I probably wouldn't choose to share it. Does that make any sense?

@Lucycat Could I ask how the diagnosis came about? I guess it does seem unusual that a clinician would diagnose something not technically 'legal' or 'formalised', although impressed at the same time by those who do so in the appropriate cases :)

 

[Meadowsweet]

No CPTSD is not a diagnosis in the UK. A person can have PTSD due to complex trauma. Or they can have PTSD + additional symptoms that may or may not be officially diagnosed as another disorder.

The problem with getting any diagnosis through the NHS, is that there are huge waiting lists. So, for example, I waited several months before I was diagnosed with PTSD. I then waited several more months to see a therapist. She then stopped therapy due to me having complex trauma with significant dissociation. But she wasn't qualified to diagnose anything, so for any alteration in my diagnosis, I would have had to go on a waiting list for around 12 months. But since, I believed that the dissociation was due to trauma (not a personality disorder), I went for therapy with a charity that specialised in my trauma type.

In my notes I have PTSD, anxiety and depression, due to complex trauma and significant dissociative symptoms. In the UK, we don't use the DSM, but it helped me to see the DSM 5 catagories of PTSD with dissociative symptoms. What that means to me, is that there is only 1 real problem I have to deal with (that being trauma), rather than having to worry about multiple symptoms or diagnoses.

 

[TimeToHeal]

Hi @RedRose! First, I'd like to say, it's nice to meet you and welcome to the forum! :)

I actually started writing a response to your last post, but was called away with work and didn't get a chance to finish it.

I have PTSD as a result of complex trauma. I was also, possibly wrongly, diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) for years previous, starting at the young age of 14 - which is actually too young to be officially diagnosed with any personality disorder. So for me, finally being given the diagnosis of PTSD, was actually a pretty big relief! So I totally understand where you're coming from with this. For me, it was the first time I felt I was actually validated with much of what I've been through in my life - instead of simply being labeled "a bad kid," or being treated like everything was my own fault and if my own making - I finally had validation that there was a REASON for me/my life being the way it had been. It was really a big turning point for me.

I also agree that many, if not all, of what you find listed under "CPTSD" fit me quite well! And it does feel good...err, maybe comforting, or validating, would be a better word.... to find something that sort of "fits" with oneself and what you've been experiencing. (By the way - responding to something you brought up in your previous post - I do not have flashbacks either. I think it's actually pretty common for those with PTSD not to have them, though it is a symptom commonly publicized or associated with PTSD).

As others have already stated, CPTSD is not an actual diagnosis, though PTSD from Complex Trauma, is. I never had, or was given, the notion of the possibility of PTSD, prior to actually receiving the diagnosis, just a few years ago, so I think you have a sort of advantage in that you're finding out about it and looking into it pretty early on in your journey.

As far as bringing it up and discussing it with your therapist - I would suggest you simply tell them that you've been looking into information on some of your symptoms and experiences and you keep coming upon PTSD, and asking if they think that is possibly what you are dealing with.

I would advise you to look for a proper diagnosis - whether it be PTSD or something else - for the purpose of receiving the appropriate treatment and therapy to help you heal, and try not, to worry so much about the stigma associated with this diagnosis or that diagnosis. As I've mentioned with some of my own background, I completely understand your aversion to the "label" of any personality disorder. However, many personality disorders are not the hopeless diagnoses they once were, and they are much more treatable now than they were in the past. I'm not saying I think you have a personality disorder as opposed to PTSD, I'm just saying that their longtime stigmas are (slowly) changing.

At any rate, I do hope you are able to approach the topic of PTSD with your therapist and that you're able to receive appropriate and helpful treatment! Please feel free to PM me with any questions you may have!

And again, welcome to the forum! :)[DOUBLEPOST=1400942668,1400942599][/DOUBLEPOST]Hi @RedRose! First, I'd like to say, it's nice to meet you and welcome to the forum! :)

I actually started writing a response to your last post, but was called away with work and didn't get a chance to finish it.

I have PTSD as a result of complex trauma. I was also, possibly wrongly, diagnosed with BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) for years previous, starting at the young age of 14 - which is actually too young to be officially diagnosed with any personality disorder. So for me, finally being given the diagnosis of PTSD, was actually a pretty big relief! So I totally understand where you're coming from with this. For me, it was the first time I felt I was actually validated with much of what I've been through in my life - instead of simply being labeled "a bad kid," or being treated like everything was my own fault and if my own making - I finally had validation that there was a REASON for me/my life being the way it had been. It was really a big turning point for me.

I also agree that many, if not all, of what you find listed under "CPTSD" fit me quite well! And it does feel good...err, maybe comforting, or validating, would be a better word.... to find something that sort of "fits" with oneself and what you've been experiencing. (By the way - responding to something you brought up in your previous post - I do not have flashbacks either. I think it's actually pretty common for those with PTSD not to have them, though it is a symptom commonly publicized or associated with PTSD).

As others have already stated, CPTSD is not an actual diagnosis, though PTSD from Complex Trauma, is. I never had, or was given, the notion of the possibility of PTSD, prior to actually receiving the diagnosis, just a few years ago, so I think you have a sort of advantage in that you're finding out about it and looking into it pretty early on in your journey.

As far as bringing it up and discussing it with your therapist - I would suggest you simply tell them that you've been looking into information on some of your symptoms and experiences and you keep coming upon PTSD, and asking if they think that is possibly what you are dealing with.

I would advise you to look for a proper diagnosis - whether it be PTSD or something else - for the purpose of receiving the appropriate treatment and therapy to help you heal, and try not, to worry so much about the stigma associated with this diagnosis or that diagnosis. As I've mentioned with some of my own background, I completely understand your aversion to the "label" of any personality disorder. However, many personality disorders are not the hopeless diagnoses they once were, and they are much more treatable now than they were in the past. I'm not saying I think you have a personality disorder as opposed to PTSD, I'm just saying that their longtime stigmas are (slowly) changing.

At any rate, I do hope you are able to approach the topic of PTSD with your therapist and that you're able to receive appropriate and helpful treatment! Please feel free to PM me with any questions you may have!

And again, welcome to the forum! :)

 

[Laura 2]

Welcome Red Rose.

My experience is that it's mighty difficult to get any sort of dx from NHS people. Because then, with a 'proper' label, they'd have to treat you. Back then, an NHS doctor told me that they don't like PTSD because it 'takes as long to treat as it took to injure you'. So that means treatment could go on for many years. Expensively. Now they just throw 12 weeks of lacklustre CBT at you - if you're lucky.

I was originally dx'd by an expert privately yet spent years trying to get NHS staff to listen. They do now though and the 'c' word (per the Royal College of Psychiatrists's own definition) is bandied about.

It's a double -edged sword though. I'd prefer not to have any label but official recognition is so horribly necessary for all sorts of interactions with other authorities and people. Also, without a label there's more chance perhaps of being able to explain and getting some genuine understanding re practical difficulties. But with a label people just think they know what PTSD is and mentally tuck you away in a box that they don't bother to open and just apply rather inadequate one-size-fits-all kwikfixes at you.

 

[RedRose]

Hi @Laura 2 thanks for the advice. I'm coming to the end of the private treatment, and would be referred onwards to the NHS afterwards. I'm fortunate that I've been having pretty good therapy up until now, so do feel that the correct treatment has been offered and hopefully will be able to continue it on the NHS, but we'll see I guess. What has been your experience with the 'quickfixes' on the NHS?

Also hi @TimeToHeal ! Thank you for the post :) I do understand that perhaps we shouldn't be too bothered about the stigma of different labels, but to be honest one of my biggest fears now is being labelled with something that doesn't apply to me and then that label being used to undermine and invalidate me. I think I will take your advice on speaking with the therapist.... and may well take you up on the PM too :)

RedRose

 

[Laura 2]

@RedRose
How wonderful that you've had private therapy! At least that sets a pace for the NHS to try and follow.

It sounds like there are several other factors that may come into play as far as your ongoing treatment is concerned. I agree, you need to fight tooth and nail any label that they try and impose on you. Bottom line is that psychiatry is the least accurate and least scientific branch of mainstream medicine. They can - on a whim - dub you with anything they like, their more cautious colleagues never quibble and the muck sticks.

My experience with NHS kwikfixes is dire (e.g. I've written on other posts about the abusive, drunken therapist who terrified me). Hopefully, with the support of your private therapist you won't experience the same. But, for example, eventually after 2 yrs of being 'reviewed' under the IAPT system, I got an appt with a professor for 12 wks of 'therapy'. He spent half the time telling me how much of an expert he is and the other half flailing around with all sorts of disjointed questions. After 4 wks of this I decided to end it after he asked me 'why are you here?' and suggested we could do whatever I wanted in the sessions. In other words, for all his self-professed expertise, he was clueless or lazy, maybe both, and certainly too big for his boots.

Then 3 months later, after yet another 'review', I got an appt with a guy whose first question was 'why now? why haven't you been in therapy before?' My response was 'Actually, you should be asking the NHS why THEY have taken so long to get me here!' I stuck out the 12 wks with him but he ended up feeling 'powerless' and suggesting that there was maybe no other therapy/support to be had. Talk about defeatist....

They just want to plug you into their system, fix you, and see you out the door, asap. PTSD is NOT just a bit of anxiety or natural grief about your partner dying or worry about being made redundant. But my experience is that you get the same treatment.

12 weeks is simply not long enough, especially for people whose trust is shattered and their lives in ruins. It can only be a bit of tinkering around, getting you to diminish your injuries via CBT (which I feel is sometimes or maybe often misused) and other quite exotic treatments about which they have absolutely no idea about how they work (if they do).

I am now waiting for yet another review to see what next...given that I'm not psychotic, schizophrenic, personality disordered or a threat to others there is nothing else.

But, that's only a small part of my abysmal experiences. I do hope yours will be infinitely better. :)

 

[Lucycat]

@RedRose it is by pure fluke that I live in an area of Scotland where we have a psychiatrist with a special interest In trauma. He told me ( in writing) that he diagnosed me with CPTSD. He also, at the same time acknowledged there are legal difficulties with this, and said for court I could use the alternative and say I have PTSD due to complex trauma in childhood

I have had discussions with my t who said that he and the psychiatrist do not readily accept PD diagnoses as they see these often related to trauma.

My psychiatrist and T (community psychiatric nurse CPN) work very closely together. I do understand that other people have had horrendous experiences of the NHS. However I have to say my experience has been faultless.

 

[Laura 2]

@Lucycat - right, that's it, I'm moving to the Highlands! ;) Your people sound wonderful.