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Fear T Won't Believe Symptoms?

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SimplyComplex

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I was raised being told my mental health problems (or even basic needs) were manipulations (and not "real") and a drain on my mother. So I guess it doesn't come as a surprise that I really fear, if I tell my T about symptoms, she will think I am faking it. I have very slowly told her things, and she is very receptive. I think she is good at her job and has a lot of trauma background, so that isn't an issue.

I am curious if other people have had the same concerns, how they addressed them, or just any advice for tackling the issue?
 
I lost all faith trying to explain my feelings/symptoms to anyone, especially doctors. My feelings and most my reactions got so deeply imbedded in me since childhood, that I cannot show them to anyone anymore. Then it all comes out in the middle of the night. They will have to hook me up to a nighttime monitor in order to 'see for themselves".

It's a good thing that your therapist is willing to believe you.
 
I am more interested in what you think will be accomplished by disclosing symptoms, or not disclosing them even? Considering if your therapist is aware, obviously, that you have complex trauma and PTSD diagnosis?
 
I can relate. It takes time to trust. My T has asked me to tell her if I am having a difficult time trusting her. I have taken her up on it a few times now.
 
I am more interested in what you think will be accomplished by disclosing symptoms, or not disclosing them even? Considering if your therapist is aware, obviously, that you have complex trauma and PTSD diagnosis?

She is aware I have PTSD (she diagnosed me as PTSD, not anything about complex, but I have a complex history). I figure if she knows them she will be better able to help me manage them while working through the trauma, and help me heal from them. Like if she is teaching me mindfulness and relaxation skills for managing anxiety due to processing the trauma memories, but all I am really doing is dissociating to numb...well seems like her having the info would help her teach me how to not do that...that sort of thing.

I think telling someone could really be helpful for me to be able to face problems. I am a master of secrets, and I have kept some of my more significant "symptoms" deep secrets. I think telling someone would feel good in some ways. Like a weight off my shoulders and take the power away from it.

And the not...well I have a very deep feel that she will decided I am not recovering fast enough, or am just too messed up and decide she is wasting her time on me and kick me out or check out herself. It happened when I was 20. This time I am really putting it out there as much as I could. I know it is unlikely, but it is scary still.

Also, if I admit to things that seem like problems and she confirms they are, well it removed some of my last shreds of denial I have left...and that is always a bummer.

One more fear, on these lines is, I feel like if I tell her things she will think I am not telling the truth or being dramatic or attention seeking and be less inclined to help me.

So there are my thoughts both ways on that.
 
I think telling someone could really be helpful for me to be able to face problems. I am a master of secrets, and I have kept some of my more significant "symptoms" deep secrets. I think telling someone would feel good in some ways. Like a weight off my shoulders and take the power away from it.
I just wanted to see if you would answer your own question... which you did.

So that is the answer that you believe is right for you... which is from my viewpoint, also the right answer.

You believe what you think / know... that was the point of the exercise!
 
Getting it all out at some point so your tdoc has ALL the info will help her and you to finally move on. The words "just being dramatic" resinate with me on a very deep level. I think you are doing a wonderful job!

Hugs,
Rain
 
Yeah, pretty tired of nobody believing me IRL. Though....now there's enough real evidence that I feel like...screw everyone else. My hubby knows, and I know.

...and that's gonna have to be good enough, somehow.
 
Same here. I'm tired of other people writing me off as being dramatic or trying to justify x or y behavior. I'm tired of people reading these behaviors for things they are not. I'm not! I'm just trying to explain it. I still say it though. I have to say it.
 
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