How Important Is Ptsd Diagnosis?

[Mito]

I know there are a lot of diagnosed and undiagnosed here.

I have never been diagnosed with PTSD. My T has no problem or qualms telling me I'm traumatised. I see my T for trauma. But he does have a problem with diagnosing me, he doesn't believe in it.

He's helped me loads and he's a really good T. But I, rightly or wrongly, have just taken the two facts above and combined them with a symptom list for cPTSD and concluded I have it.

 

[Ubow]

It kind of depends on the situation if you need a diagnosis to get the help you need then it is very important but for instance your therapist doesn't believe in it because he could be thinking that if he diagnoses then it tends to label somebody. I remember when I was initially diagnosed with PTSD it was a relief but at the same time a curse because subconsciously I labeled myself as ptsd and broken because of the diagnosis.

 

[Ikoda]

Hmmm well, CPTSD doesn't offically exist in terms of the DSM. This is problematic because there is no official set of symptoms for CPTSD. I have been "diagnosed" with CPTSD erroneously because every practitioner uses a different set of criteria. I can look down the list and I KNOW I don't have at least 2 of the criteria set out by Judith Herman, so it seems that some slap "CPTSD" on those who have any sort of childhood trauma.

Self-diagnosis is dangerous, and I don't suggest that anyone do it. You don't know the ins and outs of diagnosis, so you could be giving yourself a label that you don't actually have. Diagnosing is a bit more involved than looking down a list and saying "yep, that's me!" Unfortunately, people with common life happenings can go down these lists and self-diagnose because they don't know how to diagnose. I'm not saying this is you, rather I am saying it takes someone with experience and training to diagnose a client.

I think a diagnosis is quite important. It puts you on the right path to healing. Otherwise, you could be dealing with someone else. Its not clear cut----trauma doesn't have only one result. Many people who have been traumatized end up with anxiety or depression or bipolar disorder or schizophrenia......and the list goes on.

The CPTSD symptom list is a bit different than the one for PTSD. Are you sure you qualify for PTSD as well? (Not everyone does.)

 

[Mito]

Self-diagnosis is dangerous, and I don't suggest that anyone do it. You don't know the ins and outs of diagnosis, so you could be giving yourself a label that you don't actually have.

I kinda get this, I initially thought I had depression until I went to trauma and told loads of people I had depression...

I guess... if I hadn't self diagnosed I wouldnt be here, where I get a lot of support for the ins and outs of my traumatic experiences

 

[Sema]

OP, what's your trauma (if you can share)?

 

[Nuhorir]

I had also believed that I was just damaged. Then when I was in the hospital (for another unrelated problem) I was interviewed by a doctor. She was able to officially diagnose me with PTSD. I was so relieved--it wasn't just me!

I did some reading and talked to her about how she diagnosed me. She explained that there are specifications that must be met in the medical books for an official diagnosis. She was also able to find physical proof from my other tests. I was in the hospital, under observation for another condition, so they were able to watch my brain waves while I slept also.

I would not go on just a "hunch" of a T. You might want to contact a physical doctor. Of course, you don't have to have a diagnosis. You are the one who knows how you feel and how you want to go about healing. So, believe yourself-- if no one else.

 

[Onuta]

Being traumatized can be clinically different than having the specific clinical condition of PTSD.

Not all trauma leads to PTSD. Not all symptoms of being traumatized means someone has PTSD.

Trauma can play a role in developing other mental health conditions other than PTSD.

How important is a diagnosis? Depends what your goal is. Lots of therapists try to stay away from over labeling and over diagnosing. Your therapist is my alone in his position. If what he is doing is working for you, then keep going. If you want to know for sure if you have the specific clinical diagnosis of PTSD or not find a professional who can do a full work up.