Formal Diagnosis

[Nab4]

I've been told my my Dr and my counsellor I have severe case of PTSD after dealing and being hurt by a scitzophrenic passenger at 37'00ft 7 mths ago.
I have daily panic attacks and my anxiety is constantly through the roof.
I'm hyper aware, I constantly look for danger and someone attacking me. This is draining and exhausting.
I don't sleep, have constant flashbacks and triggers.
I'm still injured but have had to return to work. I have only had two flights yet had 4 panic attacks.
I can't go back into the part of the cabin it happened in .
If I didn't have 4 children to look after I would never step on a plane again and no other job with pay enough and be with strangers.
I don't deal well in busy places I lose control of scanning people.
My question is after losing my family as they don't believe in PTSD and believe I'm choosing to have this all happen to me.
I'm looking into being formally diagnosed to prove to them I don't choose to live in this nightmare. Has anyone had this done and what happens.
I think it's the only thing they may believe.
I'm so upset about my family x

 

[WillyKat]

First, I'm very sorry you've had to endure that.

Second, welcome to the forum!

What you describe sounds like symptoms that are typical of PTSD. Can you clarify one thing? You said your dr and counsellor say you have PTSD, but later you say you want to get a formal diagnosis.

Even with a formal diagnosis, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment thinking that a formal diagnosis will sway people that don't want to believe. It might but then again it might not. Also, people sometimes react with disbelief when things like this happen. They don't want to face the reality and so they say stupid and hurtful things. In short, they might or might not come around. Regardless of that, you can only worry about yourself at the moment.

Because you're dealing with a lot of anxiety, I'd recommend looking around the forum and elsewhere on the internet for information on mindfulness, grounding, and breathing. I bet you're thinking that these things may not help, but I'm fairly certain they will and in any case can't hurt. Look into it.

 

[Senecia]

Hey there. It really is exhausting. Hopefully a formal diagnoses would bring about proper therapy that would ease symptoms.
In my case, I've always been seeking approval from everyone I know. My family didn't think I had any issues, yet like you, suffering in constant panic and hyper vigilance. Jumping out of my seat and on the verge of tears when someone knocks on the door. They deny there is a problem. I thought that having an official diagnosis would make them accept me.

Unfortunately, it didn't. All it did was make them doubt the degrees of my therapist and psychiatrist, as well as the medical field as a whole...Looking to "make a buck" from my medication. My mother is still convinced I choose to be in a "bad mood" all the time and yells at me for it. The diagnosis was for me and me only - it helped me come to terms with it. What I have is real, and for me to experience only. I can progress now, knowing what I have and how to go about it.

If people are set on not believing, they won't. They won't change. The only thing that you absolutely have the power to change is your own thoughts and actions. You'll have to make the decision to live apart from their approval, as I'm doing. I realized that if all I was doing was striving for their approval...who's life was I really living: mine, or theirs?

 

[Friday]

'A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion, still.'

My family is warm, loving, amazing in most ways... And there's no way on earth they'd ever be supportive of me + PTSD. That's just who they are.

 

[moonbeam]

That's horrible. I'm really sorry you are having to go through this.

It is somewhat typical of people to not understand mental illness or PTSD. I think Friday said it best. I'm not sure if a formal diagnosis will really change anything. but..

Since you are in the UK, I am guessing that by counselor you are probably in like an NHS CBT or counseling type service? GPs can actually give a diagnosis of PTSD but it may be easier/better to request for a psych consultation. The psych consultant will ask you about the event, any symptoms you are having, etc. And can give a formal diagnosis as well as a care plan for sessions, medicines, etc.

 

[Nab4]

Firstly thank you all for responding
I'm so grateful for every response and that I found this group.
I have to agree with everyone here and what you all say in the reality of it all is very true. I think I'm just clutching at straws whilst dealing with so much.
My dr has me on a Plan of care I know see him every four weeks.
I have medication and I'm on private cbt that my airline paid for.
I know what's wrong with me and accepted it months ago but doubted myself when my family doubted me.
I think walking on alone in this journey without my parents is all I can do.
I have my husband and sadly think my parents will feel relieved

 

[Nab4]

Plus they have already asked if my counsellor is a qualified one who knows what she's talking about.
If they question her and my own dr I suppose they would question a psychiatrist. I have had so many battles with my work to get through they witnessed that and were disgusted in how work treated me however what they are doing is much worse x