If I Am Dissociating All the Time Does it Mean I have CPTSD?

[Lexa]

I have seen differing thoughts on this and am wondering if my Pdoc is now adding this as a new diagnosis since I told him about my problems with disassociating. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I am getting worried that the less i drink and use the more I find myself doing this. I feel at times that I am about to have a break with reality and it scares me greatly.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

If you are dissociating all the time, I think he would diagnose you with a dissociative disorder. Have you taken the MID or DES? Those tests will help to determine if you have a dissociative disorder. Having cptsd Vs PTSD isn't based on how much you dissociate.

 

[Lexa]

No i havent taken those tests..i see him in 2 weeks and he may ask me then to take them. Thanks for the input.

 

[Artista]

Just keep questioning... this is good. It gets you answers and further to the proper help!!!! : )

 

[Dot Warner]

Hallo,

I dissociate all the time too.

In Europe there aren't these tests, what are they?

I am suffering CPTSD since almost 15 years..

I can't stand this any more! I am stick of the lack of cures!!!!!

 

[kers]

Dissociation is a feature of many people with PTSD, and while it's seen especially with CPTSD, it's definitely NOT isolated to it.

The main concern for both you and your doctor is not what you have, but how to treat the things that are impairing you in your daily life.

 

[bluecat]

Hi Lexa,

in my understanding, people develop c-PTSD due to a prolonged or repeated trauma from which they had no escape, especially if it occured during their formative years, while PTSD can be due to a single traumatic event or events that occured during a shorter time period. Kers is right that dissociation is common with c-PTSD. To me it makes sense, if you can't escape and some trauma happens over and over again, your mind really has no other way to find relief. But once you're safe, dissociation is a coping mechanism that is no longer helpful and instead it prevents you from living your life.

I have c-PTSD and have been in therapy for years. I feel like I am making progress all the time and then I always discover something new to work on that was out of my awareness till then. I do think I am getting better, even though I am still struggling. There isn't any simple cure, but there are many things you can do to help you heal and develop as a person, starting with learning how to be present. Your therapist might be able to give you some strategies for that.