Help With Diagnosis

[Broken rage]

I think it would be best for me to just start at the begging of my "treatment".

I first showed up at the VA mental health facility 2 months ago. I walked in and requested an Evaluation because I'm under the impression that I have PTSD. After being completely honest with the psychologist there about my drug use and drinking habits he diagnosed me as an addict. Well that didn't sit right with me being called an addict, so I quit on the spot, I've been sober for 2 months. In that time I've pin balled around the clinic from drug abuse to the PTSD clinic and now their sending me for treatment for "adjustment disorder", saying that I don't have PTSD.

I have nightmares regularly about my time in service. I regularly experience reliving the events that happened over there; but his grounds for me not having PTSD is that there were no traumatic events for him to point to. There were no explosions or people dying around me. I was eating maybe 10 meals a week (on a good week), and being ridiculed by my superiors, when I would try giving them grief back in a friendly manner they would threaten me with punishments, seriously threaten me. my nightmares include things like me starving, me getting bit by a snake and my command watching me die.

There was someone I worked with who was just a mean rude person who was well out of line, and the command let her be so. I have nightmares about that also. so I make this post for 2 reasons. The first reason is that I need a clinic that can give me a second opinion about my troubles for free (I live in Tacoma Seattle Area), as I am under the impression that the VA is trying to save money, and I have no money to spend on an evaluation. The second is that to be fair I recognize that I am no professional and am prone to biases when estimating myself, and would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

 

[JarHed]

Hey BR

Welcome to the forums. Sorry to hear of your problems with the VA. It's an unfortunate part of trying to get the proper treatment for yourself. I'm not from your area so I can't comment on where you might go to get help. What I would suggest is this; get an advocate like the DAV, VFW or one of the other veterans service organizations. They can and will help you to navigate the quagmire of the VA. They will also make sure you get the proper treatment. You need to put in a claim for your problems, they will help with that also.

Don't focus on being called something or being put in a group you may not like to be in. If you want to get better and it sounds like you do, you have to do what's necessary to get there. You want to get to the right people that can make the proper diagnosis of your problems so you can get on a treatment program; therapy, med as required, ect.

The things you are experiencing are 'normal' for people with PTSD. You're not alone, although you may feel that way. There are many vets here from all over the globe that have fought in wars from VietNam on to the present ones. We're here to help. There's also a ton of info in threads and posts.

When you get a chance post in the intro area to tell us a bit about yourself. Just simple stuff like where you served, when and what you did.

Again, Welcome.

JarHed

 

[Sarg]

BR, Sarg here, there are a number of options you can check into. One is the Vet Centers. Yes, they're paid by the VA but a whole different outfit and they don't trade info with the VA. Another is, if it gets really bad, go down to the Emergency room of your closest hospital and ask for a psychiatrist. When it comes to paying, tell them you're on the same payment plan as the illegal aliens.

Check Craig's list. I know it sounds dumb, but some cities have independent PTSD meetings and then ask how to get evaluated outside the VA. Bare in mind that the VA gives much less weight to a private P-Doc than they do their own hacks, if you plan on filing a claim.

Since you're in that area call:
Hearts Toward Home International
1050 Larrabee Avenue
Suite 104, PMB 714
Bellingham, Washington 98225-7367
Call us at: (360) 714-1525

The P-Doc that runs it, Dr. Bridgett Cantrell, is an absolute angel and if there's a way, she'll know about it.

That's about all I can think of now, just got back from my own Vet Center group, if I come up with more, I'll PM you.

Strive for strength and patience.

Sarg

 

[Broken rage]

well, I went back to the VA to ask for a second opinion. I got one. I have on recording, the lady I talked to, saying that adjustment disorder is an old diagnosis and they call it PTSD now. I recognize that she is not an end all be all source (as no one is) but she referred me to a VA center. There I got a counselor who actually seems competent, I recommend away from the VA hospital now, as this new place does not require a referral. I also went in for my disability rating. The guy there gave me a questionnaire, when I asked him if he wanted me to fill it out for before depression meds or after. he said it didn't matter, I was already unimpressed. he then diagnosed me with adjustment disorder with personality traits (he used some clinical term but I can't remember exactly what he said.). When I asked him why this has gone on for 3 years and why I'm having nightmares he couldn't even look me in the eyes when he gave me the answer "uh..... yea I would say this explains those symptoms.". I need a break from dealing with the VA so I'm just going to wait a bit before I file for a re-eval.

It's frustrating you know. I have never met people who see an animal and say "well it walks like a duck, it quacks like a duck, it must be a frog".

 

[Sarg]

When there's dollars involved, you would be amazed what "some" people say. Also, was the lady at the VA aware that you were recording her? If not, you could be in serious trouble if they catch you. In some states, it's a high misdemeanor.

This convo is useless without knowing, word for word, what the C&P Doctor diagnosed you with. You need to go down to your VA, find the Release of Information Office, fill out the form for a full copy of your med recs. Then go through them. Did the lady write down a diagnosis of PTSD? What precisely was the "clinical term you can't remember"?

Baseless condemnation of the VA will get you zero. I know, I tried. Now, I get everything in writing.

Don't know what else to tell ya, Rage.

Sarg

 

[JarHed]

Hey BR

First a link to what Adjustment Disorder is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adjustment_disorder

As is stated in the very beginning there Adjustment Disorder isn't PTSD. I'm not sure why they're trying to classify you in that category as apposed to receiving a classification of PTSD.

Both Sarg and I have more years dealing with the VA than we care to think of. It can be so damn frustrating but it's a necessary evil if want to have any chance of a claim or the proper treatment. They want to piss you off in the hope that by misdiagnosing you you'll just throw your hands up and quit. Don't do that. You deserve what they have it's all for us and no one else.

But you need to do a few things. Get an advocate. Like the DAV,VFW or other service org. They know the waters so to speak and are a tremendous help in getting you what you need. Collect all the information on the when and where of your case. When you feel you acquired PTSD, where it happened or began, the circumstances, ect. Keep every piece of paper and document every call to the VA. Be through with everything you do and say to them is important. Do your research, know your condition, know what the claims process entails. Much of this you can get here or help from others that have been there. Most of all, don't let it get you down. You've got to look at it from the long term. You will get there eventually it just takes time and effort. I wish it were easier but it just isn't. We all wish it too, and that some of our experiences with them weren't as shitty, but it's reality.

Stay the course and you'll hopefully get what you need in terms of treatment and benefits. We are the only reason that the VA exists. They may have forgotten it. There are good people there. I go to a vets center for most of my treatment and they're great. My psychologist is the best and is extremely supportive. She really wants to help. So there are people like this even within the VA's system. I wish you all the best and let me know if I can help or if you have any questions that I can answer. Drop me a pm is you'd like also.

Jar

 

[Sarg]

Thanks, Jar, I was too pooped to pop this time.

Sarg