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I Think A Loved One Has Ptsd

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iwannadeletethis

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He's kind of frightened by my PTSD. So it's hard to inquire about the fact that I think he has it. I brought up the idea once that he might have it and he gave me a crass "probably" but ended it there. Is there a good online test? Or a good way to approach this? I'm trying to be gentle and he gives me the impression that he won't make time to see a counselor to find out.
 
He can only be diagnosed by a professional. Self diagnosis is unreliable at best and dangerous at worst because even with a traumatic event that fits the Criterion A definition, there are still an array of disorders that could result, and many have similar symptoms. To boot, many non-trauma disorders share whole clusters of symptoms. And the treatment will be very different for some of these. That's why misdiagnosis can be so challenging and harmful- how you approach the problem varies a lot even if the problems look similar on the surface.

If he's not willing to work on his own healing, there is nothing you can do but try to educate him about the value of seeking help, that being a mental health consumer does not make him weak, and that he will have your support in whatever ways are appropriate for you to offer while keeping boundaries. But you can't do the work for him. Often people (with any disorder, mental or physical) have to hit rock bottom for that wake up call to get help and treat it seriously.
 
He can only be diagnosed by a professional. Self diagnosis is unreliable at best and dangerous at worst b...

@Kefira im sure you're right!! Thank you :) maybe I can ease in talking about my PTSD and maybe that will make him more comfortable to think his very similar symptoms. But, you're right. I can't make him seek help.
 
It's probably best to empower someone you care for with the option of seeking help for themselves, whatever their issues are. But I wouldn't suggest it to them or even slip it in surreptitiously. Anything that they perceive to be pushing will almost certainly achieve the opposite of what you want. It's only in fairly extreme cases that you can make someone go, and if you do, prepare to destroy your relationship with them.

You might try opening up yourself about how much it has helped you, helped others that you know. It's really up to them.
 
It's probably best to empower someone you care for with the option of seeking help for themselves, what...

I think that's what I'm gonna do @WillyKat I've just started telling him about how this forum helps me discover triggers and how that helps me in day to day life. How much more functional I can be, or at least on the path to functionality. But I'm sure it all just sounds scary to him.
 
It's actually potentially detrimental for you to assume it's PTSD, @Skitzii - you can't assume you have the whole picture, and he could start believing that's the answer to whatever is going on with him. I think talking to him about how helpful therapy can be when one is struggling, and just general support about reaching out for help, would be safer and more productive in the long run....just my opinion.
 
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