Undiagnosed Dealing with Possible PTSD Symptoms: Seeking Help Online

[chihayafuru]

Maybe I should do a small introduction even though I've already started posting. I've spoke to different online counsellors and they keep sending me links about symptoms of ptsd, grounding techniques for ptsd, how to deal with ptsd nightmares, when to get help for the symptoms of ptsd, I think they think I have ptsd. I did tell one of them I'm not diagnosed with it but they just said I should go to the gp to be referred to get assessed, but they don't always bother giving people a diagnosis for things since they can just give you some leaflet or online resource and send you on your way. They really don't seem to get how my local mental health services work, they're crap and often won't even see you.
I don't even want to have an assessment, it won't really change anything and I won't suddenly get a trauma therapist, this is the same service that told one of the hostel residents, where my sister works, who was psychotic, having a breakdown and wasn't eating or drinking anything so her hair was falling out, that has should try a new shampoo.
Do I need to say anymore.
Waiting lists for charities are too long and anyway I rely on my parents, cause I'm not independent and they take me where I need to go and they don't want me getting help. I have no one else who could take me at all or without my parents knowing.
I'll just continue with online sites.

 

[PlainJane]

welcome :)

 

[Riley Jones]

Hello and welcome to myptsd.com. I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with some difficult symptoms that have led you to seek support online. It can be frustrating when mental health services don't work in the way we need them to and it can be hard to navigate these systems on your own. However, it's great that you're seeking help and resources in other ways, like reaching out to peer communities online.

While I'm not able to diagnose you, it's important to remember that seeking an assessment or diagnosis can provide a clearer understanding of your symptoms and what help and support might be best suited for you. However, I respect your decision to continue seeking support online for the time being.

It's also crucial to make sure that you're taking care of yourself as best as possible. This includes practicing self-care and coping strategies, such as grounding techniques and seeking out support from others who understand what you're going through. I'm glad you've found a supportive community here on myptsd.com, and please know that there are forums available that address different topics related to trauma and mental health.

Remember that you don't have to deal with these symptoms alone, and support is available to you when and if you're ready to seek it out.

 

[Friday]

Welcome to the community!

 

[sidptitala]

Hi and welcome.

Do you find the resources these therapists have been sending you helpful? Are you able to manage on your own between attending online therapy and reading resources like these?

I'm saying this because I can see that right now you are not eager to go to a GP and try to get referred for assessment because you don't think they will assess you or provide the help you need. This has been my personal experience of trying to seek help in general, but on my third attempt I got somewhere. Like you I didn't try consistently but gave up after my initial attempt, and like you this was informed by working with people who had been treated badly by those services which existed. It really put me off trying to gain access to them again. However, with time and things changing (including my age and the urgency of the issue for me) I have been much more driven and confident about getting help, and have gotten more of it in the past few months than I imagined existed. I'm saying this to you so that if you do feel at some point that your condition deteriorates and you need any help you can get, try not to be put off by the experiences of those around you. It's possible that you would get lucky and gain access to treatment if you don't give up.

You are right that waiting lists for charities (and other services) are very long. However being on them is being much closer to help than not being on them. And exactly how long waiting lists are can vary a lot based on how urgent they assess your case to be. It may be worth being on waiting lists if you can get on them, because the problems you have now you will likely still have at the time you'd get to the top of the list.

Do you mind me asking if you are a teenager still? What factors make you dependent on your parents and do you feel that's influencing your condition at all?

 

[chihayafuru]

Do you find the resources these therapists have been sending you helpful? Are you able to manage on your own between attending online therapy and reading resources like these?

Do you mind me asking if you are a teenager still? What factors make you dependent on your parents and do you feel that's influencing your condition at all?

they're counsellors, not therapists and the links are things i've already read, a lot of common sense things, eat healthily, drink water, sleep, do something nice, distractions.
I'm not a teenager and i'm not comfortable discussing reasons for my lack of independence.
my family in general are not helpful when it comes to my trauma.

 

[RM1943]

Sorry, but you are too sure of yourself and your opinions that you come off as arrogant and self important. Have you even considered that everyone is here to try to help each other because THEY suffer too and that the person who asked you the question about the reasons for your lack of independence was not comfortable helping you but was willing to put their own problems aside for you? My advice to you, given as a UK doctor long since retired but who worked closely and extensively with psychiatrists, counsellors and other therapists is simply this ~ comfortable or not, OPEN UP when another sufferer holds out a helping hand to you. Don't bite it. Frankly I am hardly surprised that your family are unhelpful to you "when it comes to your trauma" ~ you might care to start thinking what others are dealing with before you put your own issues so far above theirs. If you want help - GET COMFORTABLE and ACCEPT HELP. Don't ask for help when you are not ready to accept it.