Undiagnosed Hi I'm New Here And Need Some Assistance?

[Brad]

I think that I may have PTSD but don't know if I should tell my parents?

I'm suffering from emotional numbness and short term memory loss and the other symtoms but they seem to have left. If you met me you would have never guessed that I had it. I'm a fun and exciting person to be around and TRY enjoy life to the fullest. The PTSD isn't getting worse or anything but I just think that somebody I love should know. Also to afraid to tell them what I worry about. I'm 18 and need your help please?! Thanks :)

 

[^^FlyingSolo^^]

Dear Brad,

Thank you for having the courage to reach out and get some answers.

First you need to research this forum for information about PTSD. Find out what PTSD really is and what causes it. And also read about the symptoms.

If you still feel you have a Trauma based mental illness. Please get diagnosed from a specialist.

If in the future you are diagnosed with PTSD. By all means I recommend sharing your diagnosis with your family, and even your friends. However, if your parents are the cause of your trauma, please consult a professional doctor or therapist for advice on if, when, and how to confront your parents, or if it's even necessary to tell them.

Generally, People need to know so they can better understand you and any special requirements you may have. The PTSD may affect you communication with people, even more reason to share your diagnosis, so everybody understands what's going on.

If you had Parkinson's disease or any other serious diseases, wouldn't you want your family to know?

At any rate, the symptoms you described do sound serious. You owe it to yourself, to get checked out and get a proper diagnosis.

Call your mental health department in your area, and or talk to your Doctor. If you don't have a Doctor, go to the hospital and tell them what's going on, see if they can refer you to a Doctor. If you don't have the money, they might set you up with Medicaid or something similar, so you can get to see a doctor. There's also information on this forum of how to go about getting care.

Best of luck to you

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Have you been through anything traumatic?

I think you should tell your parents that you think you need professional help. From what I understand PTSD is your guess, so you should probably leave that out. I do think you should just tell them what you are experiencing.

We can not diagnose you, we can just give you friendly advice to please see a professional. That is the best way to find out what is wrong and then get help for it.

Take care.

 

[Pale Warrior]

Hi Brad, sorry to read of your feelings - no wonder you are looking for help.

Flying Solo is right, you need to find a mental health professional and talk about your situation, get a proper diagnosis. The symptoms you desribe might even have a physical cause, so don't delay, get to a doctor and get checked out.

Whether you should tell your parents depends on the type of relationship you have with them, you might want to see a doctor first?

I hope you get sorted out, what ever the cause or diagnosis.

 

[PerfectEmpire]

Why do you want to tell your parents? You are 18 and under no obligation to do so. If you feel like you "have to" or "should" is that because you were raised to believe that you must share everything with them no matter how personal? That could be a sign of boundary issues.

If your parents caused your PTSD and/or were abusive/neglectful/dysfunctional then definitely DO NOT tell them.

It sounds like you are totally confused. If you jump immediately to telling people that you think you have PTSD (or any other specific condition) you may never live it down or shake the stigma even if you find out that you DON'T have it. If you must share your suffering with others simply describe it as "I haven't been feeling quite right and I would like to see a therapist". If they press for details, be firm and insist on keeping your boundaries.

 

[Brad]

What do you mean confused? I'm worried to what I have. The symptoms for PTSD match me but im not sure if its anxiety? Like i said I have short term memory loss and emotional numbness. I'm not sure if the body does this when its stressed out? :( :)

 

[PerfectEmpire]

Do you have a trauma or a traumatic past? PTSD is not just the symptoms, it's also a history of something really bad happening to you that causes those symptoms (rape, abuse, witnessing a violent death, surviving a car accident/disaster/war etc., finding a dead body, and those are just a few examples from people on this board).

Has something traumatic happened to you?

 

[^^FlyingSolo^^]

Brad are you reading information on this forum? Is it helping you?

Yes the body does weird things when it's stressed-out.

Are you going to see a doctor?

 

[Brad]

Do you have a trauma or a traumatic past? PTSD is not just the symptoms, it's also a history of something really bad happening to you that causes those symptoms
Has something traumatic happened to you?

Yeah I went through the site. Here's what happened; I wanted to fnd out who I was and what beliefs/religion I am. But after trying to be part of this religion (didn't work out like I thought) I got scared of what could happen next, that's all basically it.

 

[Brad]

Sorry if I showed any disrespect :(. I did some research and found out that I may have the symtoms of ptsd but I don't think it is. I found that I could have depersonalization and derealization but I'm going to talk to my parents and doctor to see what is truly causing this. Thanks all :)

 

[PerfectEmpire]

But after trying to be part of this religion (didn't work out like I thought) I got scared of what could happen next, that's all basically it.

Ah, that makes sense! Religion/spiritual experiences can really affect a person's mental state!

Some people end up with PTSD from being involved in cults and/or being raised by fundamentalist/abusive parents. There are plenty of resources online about "deprogramming" and how to recover from such situations. You might be able to relate to some of the stories on this board if you do a search for "religion" and see what comes up! Seeing a therapist is definitely a smart next step.

 

[Brad]

Ah, that makes sense! Religion/spiritual experiences can really affect a person's mental state!

How does it affect it? Just wondering.