Do I Really...

[BatsBelfry]

Hi all. I'm really new to all this and new to finding out I have mental health issues, I'm told to stop saying crazy :) . I came here in search of help/ advise on my reaction to the new 'working theory" on me that I have PTSD.

So my original diagnosis from my psychiatric nurse practitioner was bipolar II, severe anxiety, eating disorder, and ADD. I have a therapist that I see weekly from a separate practice. Both are amazing people and I trust them.

We landed on this theory for a few reasons I guess. One is that I have no memory of my life prior to being 7. When I was 7 my Dad died of cancer. We went through an exam full of questions and I guess the scale ranked me as definitely having PTSD. As far as I can understand the line between bipolar II and PTSD is blurred at times but you cannot have both. My severe anxiety is almost debilitating in life and comes out when I'm in stressful situations. It's a strong fight or flight response.

So here is my ask of anyone willing to write:
- If you have PTSD and were never a military person or cop, do people
believe you?
- Do you think a parent's death is enough.

 

[Llith]

To be honest, I do not often tell people I have PTSD, so I guess I don't have that much experience with seeing if people believe you, however I am not sure that is the issue. If your health practitioner and you yourself believe you have PTSD, that is about all that matters. It affects every part of your life and its hard to explain to people. I have never had any real issues with the people I have told, but as I said that is like... 1 person.

Regarding the death of a parent. The death of someone at any age is traumatizing, but when you are young and you may not understand what is going on around you that can certainly cause PTSD. Also losing someone to illness often means your life before hand and afterwards is changed dramatically. You may have to go out of your way to help your other parent, feel incredibly out of control etc. So yes, PTSD from a parents death is certainly a real thing.

 

[Llith]

Also welcome to the site :) I hope you find answers to your questions and support on here!! :)

 

[Fayne Jane]

There are many people in the world and on this site that have PTSD and were not in the military or first responders, including me. If you read some of the forums or articles you will this out.

 

[Keming]

Me: Civilian, PTSD, Aspergers, etc. PTSD is 'post-trauma' not 'post-military.' Brain doesn't differentiate between professions.

1) Do people believe me? Doesn't matter. My diagnosis is from psychiatrists, not 'people.' My therapy and meds are by professionals, not 'people.' And I don't need validation. If I need to explain something, I say I have an 'anxiety disorder.' It's true enough.

2) Is death etc enough? No idea, but if you've been diagnosed with PTSD, then apparently it was enough. Focus on getting better! Disorder doesn't always have to mean permanent.
--- --- ---
On "Crazy"
"Crazy" is a self-punishing word. You/we are not 'crazy.' You/we suffer from specific psychological and/or neurological conditions.

"Crazy" is also too broad to be useful. There's treatments for PTSD, depression, but how does one treat 'crazy' ? What are the symptoms of 'crazy' ? A psychiatrist can prescribe antipsychotics for my bipolar and psychosis, but there's no pill for 'crazy.' It's not a clinically useful word.

Admittedly, I use 'crazy' to mock this disorder or certain behaviors, but only when talking about myself, with myself, or with my therapist.

 

[BatsBelfry]

1) Do people believe me? [/I]Doesn't matter. My diagnosis is from psychiatrists, not 'people.' My therapy and meds are by professionals, not 'people.' And I don't need validation. If I need to explain something, I say I have an 'anxiety disorder.' It's true enough.

Admittedly, I use 'crazy' to mock this disorder or certain behaviors, but only when talking about myself, with myself, or with my therapist.

I, too, only call myself crazy. Never when speaking about another's issues.

I don't know why I feel like I need people to believe me. It isn't like they bought into the bipolar diagnosis much