Is Chronic PTSD Just PTSD?

[Auburngirl]

I don't think chronic is if it arises 3 months after, but as upstream says, if it lasts 3 months or more.

 

[linasmom]

My understanding is that PTSD is incurable (symptoms can be managed, however, the brain's chemical process can not be reverted) therefore, once PTSD is diagnosed, there is no need to label how long PTSD lasts. The labeling is there (at least it seems to me) to provide information to researchers, doctors and insurance companies about when the actual symptoms of PTSD manifested.

To say that chronic PTSD is PTSD that lasts for more than 3 months makes no sense. All PTSD lasts for more than three months. The symptoms may not last for more than 3 months, the PTSD is still there.

 

[Auburngirl]

I think this is the standard DSM IV definition:

Types of PTSD
There are three types of PTSD: acute, chronic, and delayed onset. In acute PTSD, symptoms last less than 3 months. In chronic PTSD, symptoms last 3 months or more. In delayed onset PTSD, symptoms first appear at least 6 months after the traumatic event.

I think I do know someone who had acute though, but she had symptoms for years, maybe she just didn't fit the definition of PTSD specifically beyond 3 months. Who knows? I don't think these categories mean that much, real life tends to be less easily categorised.

 

[nic]

Ok, thanks all. I think I'm still a little confused, but at the same time, I guess it really doesn't matter all that much. Whatever it is, PTSD is PTSD, and whether I have chronic, or whatever, the point is the memories and feelings are there.

 

[linasmom]

blargh, this whole thing has me confused :crazy:

My current therapist diagnosed me as having Acute PTSD (I have complex PTSD but since that is not in the DSM he can't put that diagnosis on formal paperwork that I'm sending to my insurance company). Anyway, my PTSD goes back to when I was 8 years old and I started dissociating at that time. I'm 30 and have suffered symptoms for 22 years. Not that I really care about the label, but now my interest is piqued. :dontknow:

 

[Auburngirl]

I think I've also had so many (other) labels thrown at me because I also have complex PTSD which is not in the DSM. Though insurance isn't an issue in this case, I have no idea what's written down.

 

[lrs]

I'm about as clear as mud on this. If you have PTSD, YOU HAVE PTSD!!!

 

[anthony]

This was discussed briefly in one of the Introduction threads a few months back. From the DSM-IV:

Sorry, what upstream said here is the one I meant to quote.... this is as per the DSM.