Can Depression Be A Misdiagnosis Of Ptsd?

[24 daffodils]

I have been treated, unsuccessfully, for depression in the past. Medication, talk therapy…it just hasn't helped. Sometimes I feel better on my own for awhile, especially when I get absorbed in other things, but it always returns. Only recently have I begun to realize that the root of it all might be PTSD.

Is it possible that depression can sometimes be just one more symptom of PTSD (along with anxiety, sleep problems, feeling overwhelmed, etc)? In other words, can depression be a misdiagnosis?

Could it be that effective treatment of PTSD would address all the symptoms, including feeling down? Has anyone succeeded?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi,
It is possible to be misdiagnosed. I went from depression to bipolar to PTSD (which was finally correct!). Many others have been misdiagnosed as well.

Are you familiar with the diagnostic criteria of PTSD? The symptoms you describe could all be within a diagnosis of depression. Or, they could be a part of PTSD (if you experienced a criterion "A" trauma).

Are you able to seek out the help of a trauma therapist? There are diagnostic tests that you can take which can indicate PTSD.

 

[franciemarnie]

Yes, they thought and I thought I had depression for years. I was diagnosed with that in the 70's before PTSD was even called PTSD, let alone there being the other - C- PTSD.

See if you can find a trauma therapist. Check it out.

 

[Abstract]

Hi Daffodil, welcome.

PTSD's right hand man is depression. Most of us will have symptoms and have full blown clinical episodes too. I also think it is fairly common for someone who has PTSD to first be misdiagnosed and it not be picked up. In other words only the depression is picked up.

PTSD is of course a whole different ballpark to depression and it is also different to something such as Adjustment Disorders. The latter is often the correct diagnoses when someone's life has been totally changed by experiences and yet they don't meet PTSD criteria. The symptoms you mention fall into depression but could still be part of a bigger picture if you have the other symptoms for PTSD or an adjustment disorder. Dendrite

It sounds like it would be wise for you to see a psychiatrist for a proper evaluation and diagnoses. It might also be worthwhile looking through the criteria for both conditions and thinking about the criteria so that you have a clearer idea of what your symptoms are when you go in.

I think how depression needs to be treated and what is effective depends on the source. After very many years I am much more able to manage my depressive symptoms. Things such as self talk, negative thinking patterns, self care, identity disturbance, interpersonal issues, chemical predisposition or imbalance, and trauma can all have a big effect. When trauma is triggered my suicidal ideation and depression symptoms come up very strongly and suddenly. I would hope that will resolve as I process the trauma.

 

[Marf]

Yes, yes, and yes!

 

[24 daffodils]

These replies have been so helpful, thank you!

I was diagnosed with depression after living through a criterion "A" trauma (cancer) before PTSD was called PTSD. I've actually done a good job of coming to terms with the criterion A trauma, though of course the threat of relapse is always there. However, it is relationship issues both in my family of origin and, most especially, my current family, that seem to have really thrown me through a loop. I just can't find peace. So maybe C-PTSD is what I am dealing with. The triggers for adjustment disorders description seemed to be too mild, though it was interesting to read them (thanks, Abstract!).

I have been considering a trauma therapist of some sort. Do various trauma therapists differ in their approach? So I'd have to look at the various treatment possibilities and decide which one I want to try, then find a trauma therapist that uses that method?

 

[Abstract]

Trauma therapists differ in their approaches a lot so it may be worthwhile looking at different therapy approaches and thinking of what would suit you.

By the way, although stressor experiences mentioned in that article are "mild" it might be worthwhile knowing that a lot of people who have had molestation, rape, combat etc will have an adjustment disorder and not PTSD. Someone can have all the PTSD symptoms including flashbacks and just not hit the amount that is required and fall under an adjustment disorder. Many people with criterion a experiences will just have depression or other concerns such as interpersonal problems and not have either. It's all really complex! Not commenting on what yours is of course! :) Just giving an overview.

 

[24 daffodils]

Yowza, Abstract. Complex indeed.

As long as I get Einstein as my therapist, all should be well :sneaky:

 

[EvenStrongerNow]

Yep :D

I hear you about Einstein, I hear ya.

 

[Mart]

I have just joined so apologies if everyone already knows this.

I recently came across the website of pete walker and I am working through Pete's book on Complex PTSD. Only published last year but it is what I needed years ago. I can't recommend it highly enough. I am so certain that I suffer from C-PTSD and not depression/personality disorders/etc etc that I have found the confidence to seek therapy at last (well I'm only 51 !).

Please give it a try if you haven't already. And take care.

 

[Abstract]

Ha! ;)

The main difference with PTSD is how the experience has been stored in the brain. There will be a lot of common ground treatment wis with all of these conditions and then with PTSD there are different additional things that are necessary.

The actual trauma's have to be processed so that they can move from being experienced as if they are happening right now to becoming something that is no longer happening. A bad experience and one that is still life changing but not something that we are re-living again and again.

That's why it's important to know what we are dealing with. Processing trauma isn't going to help non PTSD in the way it will help PTSD, and not dealing with it if it is PTSD because of misdiagnoses will mean the fundemantal problem is not being dealt with.

 

[24 daffodils]

Thank you, Mart, for mentioning Pete Walker and his book. I am not familiar with his work, so I wouldn't have known of it if you hadn't suggested it. Definitely plan on getting the book. I am so glad that it has made a difference for you and that you feel ready to seek therapy, perhaps now in a more focused way. Maybe the book will do the same for me.

It was a revelation to read a couple of member's comments on this forum this week. One said that she had been misdiagnosed, first with depression and then with bipolar, before finally being treated (correctly) for PTSD. I've been through the depression diagnosis, yet it just felt that they were really missing something and we got nowhere in treatment. This week, I stumbled on a member here saying that her doctors told her that she could not be depressed because she was smiling. I too, smile and find joy in things. The last therapist thought I was bipolar, which seemed plain bizarre and not me at all. Perhaps seeing me express positive emotions confused her. Maybe…just maybe, a relatively normal person with PTSD (or adjustment disorder) could still experience some of the joy of life, at least at times, while still needing to do work to relieve trauma.

My biggest challenge seems to be that the traumatic material in my current family isn't in the past. It is continuing. It concerns one of my children, so there is no walking away from it. It is beyond stressful and I feel worn to the bone, yet I must somehow continue to parent the very best I can. Anyone have suggestions on how to deal with trauma when you can't escape? The child is in therapy but the therapist has no suggestions for me, beyond treatment for…you guessed it…depression.