I Feel Out Of My Depth

[pjfas]

For 3 months I have been dating a work colleague. She has a history of trauma , ranging from death of a parent, diagnosed with life threatening condition and serious burns to the legs, which were the result of an epileptic fit.
She has also admitted to an age inappropriate sexual experience, and also to (Inconsistently, Is this experience being blocked out??) rape at University


I am sure she has PTSD. Since the summer she has been seeing a therapist, after sustaining her burns

Her symptoms Include Isolation (Increasingly from me, am I a trigger?) Irritable, anger, forgetful, panic attack(only witnessed one) She admits to very strange dreams and finding comfort by being alone. Other things noted are (apologies If not considered symptoms, Information out there can be Inconsistent) Sense of Victimhood, attached to work colleagues(would like to chat more about this? Anyone?) very Inconsistent In emotional warmth.

Recently I spoke to her about this and she denies It, citing her lack of flashbacks as proof I am wrong. We have hardly spoke for 2 1/2 weeks since then. I told her the other day that I was thinking of her and here for her. She told me she was absolutely fine.

Questions


Can I be Wrong about her having PTSD?

What should I do If I am right?

I first asked her about this 5 Weeks ago, why react now?

Any other words of wisdom greatly appreciated

Phil

 

[helena]

Hi Pjfas,

I'm sure someone more experienced will come along but from what I have learnt since being on this forum is that flashbacks can be emotional and not easily recognised by the sufferer (or the witness)

I have only seen flashbacks in relation to combat ptsd and they are pretty vivid and recognisable. I assumed (incorrectly) that they must be similar for all the variants of ptsd.

If you read some of the information on this site, in particular, cptsd learning resources regarding emotional flashbacks it might help you understand the condition a little more.

Hope this helps

 

[JohnnyM53]

Hi Pjfas,

You ask if you could be wrong about her having PTSD. The answer is yes. Even a trained professional can get a diagnosis wrong.

Based on all the facts you mention, I would say that, since she is in therapy, there's a good chance that she did or will mention PTSD to her therapist, or that her therapist will identify symptoms and talk to her about them.

Also, someone can have some symptoms but not others symptoms of any disorder, or even have a combination of symptoms from various disorders. For example, I could have an addiction problem, be easily hyper-aroused by a trigger and become irritable or angry, coupled with depression. Whether it is pure PTSD, mixed with unipolar depression, or mixed with bipolar disorder, or some other disorder is very complicated and confusing, even to the sufferer.

But the bottom line is you can be diagnosed with a disorder and only have some/the minimum number of symptoms required.

Best to leave the diagnosis to her and her therapist. She may not be ready to talk or admit to certain things, to herself, you, or even her therapist. Give her the space she asks for, and try to be as understanding and compassionate as possible.

Just my take on it.