Undiagnosed I Have Cptsd Currently On Sertraline

[It was only anxiety]

Hi all, I have cptsd currently on sertraline and looking at a second med to replace codeine.

I just wanna offer you all some tips on what I'm doing to get better. My ptsd has me somatic and stuck in my head.

Just bluntly this is what I beleive is helping:

Olive oil, fish oil, multi vitamin, magnesium zinc b6.

Jogging with a focused mind. Twice a day

Focussing on my breath
Belly breathing
Feeling textures
Listening to zen music to relax and classical when numb.
Stopped multitasking, doing things "one-mindfully"
Body scanning vipassana meditation
Saying softly objects I can see
Trying to be absorbed in the present moment
Other practices from ptsd books.


Cut out caffeine

Distracting myself through socializing not working.

Reminisce with old friends about positive memories
Write down in detail each day positive things that happened and were enjoyable

Limited reading and time on computer.

And I got a labrador.

Hope you can all take at least one thing from list and i hope it helps you!

 

[BloomInWinter]

Welcome to the forum, It. Sounds like you're doing well at learning skills. May you find support and hope here, and in real life.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

You are doing awesome already. It took me years to figure out that I might need to do the above things.

Just keep it up, you'll be headed in the right direction! :tup:

 

[KP the nut]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[StarChild]

I have cptsd

Hi @It was only anxiety, your threads are a bit confusing; If you are undiagnosed, like the label says, how do you know you do have PTSD? (According to your other thread, you clearly stated, that you were not diagnosed with PTSD.)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

You're undiagnosed yet telling everyone how to heal? That's like going to a cancer forum and believing your stomach pains are cancer and telling everyone how you are beating cancer although no doctor has diagnosed you with cancer...

 

[bell]

Also, are you being given codeine for PTSD? (Yes, PTSD, C-PTSD is not a valid diagnosis... Yet.) Because it is my understanding that one wouldn't be given codeine for PTSD, as PTSD doesn't specifically itself cause pain. (Well, not like arthritis does or something.)

Also, somatic deals with things held in the body, so usually being stuck in your head is different. I'm confused as to which one you're saying you're effected by? As it is my understanding (although it could be wrong), one would take precedence over the other, the stronger one overcompensating when the weaker one cannot perform properly.

And... I'm not so sure you need to jog with a focused mind, as for me at least, it is the act of jogging that helps me gain clarity, not that that clarity is a precursor to jogging. If I was to wait to jog only when I was focused, it would either never happen or not be helpful in calming my mind in the first place.

 

[It was only anxiety]

Sorry I have been diagnosed twice with ptsd but not officially. My shrink doesn't believe I have ptsd but i know I do through lots of research and the book i was given by my old psychologist.

They don't want to make it an official dx because labels stick and they want me to have hope.

 

[It was only anxiety]

I was somatic, now I am stuck in my head sorry my mental health history is a blur because i was only told i had anxiety but now all of a sudden getting a social worker.

 

[bell]

Actually until you are diagnosed with PTSD by a psychiatrist you don't know if you have it. Therefore, you have never been diagnosed with PTSD.

And PTSD doesn't equal hopelessness and diagnoses stick when they are right so you can get the correct treatment. A real professional would diagnose you with what you have because that's what you have.... Whether things stick or you have hope have sod all to do with anything.

All the reading in the world does not equal a diagnosis from someone qualified.

A social worker cannot diagnose you with PTSD either.

You need to be diagnosed so you can treat what you have properly, instead of trying to fit into a diagnosis of your choice.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I've never heard of codeine being diagnosed for PTSD. Its not even a psychiatric drug...

And as for doctors not diagnosing you because they want you to have hope....That is pure bunk. PTSD is not a life sentence. In fact, a PTSD "label" will enable you to seek out proper treatment. I know a lot of people bristle at the thought of a label, but mine has ultimately brought me POSITIVE healing. (My diagnosis has been confirmed and re-confirmed almost 10 times now.)

Without my lovely label, I would not be eligible for disability. I would not be eligible for assistance in my education. I would not be eligible for help with student loans. I would not be eligible for vocational rehabilitation. And yes, the list goes on and on. Without my label, I would not be eligible for insurance payments on over $100K in medical treatment that I have received over the years. (I think you get my point!)

Please seek out the assistance of a professional who can definitively diagnose you. Its easy to look at a list of symptoms and diagnose yourself. I think many of us would have a lot more disorders if anyone who could read the DSM could hand out a diagnosis!

 

[intothelight]

@It was only anxiety Welcome to the forum!

Regardless of the final diagnosis, many of the things that you are already doing will help you. If you are concerned about the diagnosis, make sure you seek a second opinion from an individual qualified to make it as psychiatrist can prescribe and the wrong diagnosis and drug may cause more harm.