Is it common to live for a long time with undiagnosed/untreated c/ptsd?

[frogthroat]

I was diagnosed with it at 14 but didn't seek treatment until 29. I love my T but I hate the mental health system. I was recently hospitalized and I can tell you the midwest psych unit still treated me like they did in 2002. It's definitely a punishment. "You put yourself here. You have to cheer up. Why did you let yourself get so down?" Plus, my privacy wasn't respected at all. If I didn't take the meds or sign myself in they would've gotten a court order. It was horrible.
I don't tell anyone I have PTSD or depression. My brother understands because he's struggling with it too and my parents ignore it. My stepdad has been cool about it. He was the only one who visited me in the hospital. Basically, I was threatened with being imprisoned in the psychward until I lost my job and everything else. That'll teach me and it did. I would rather die then tell anyone if I have feelings of hurting myself again.
I see why people go for years without treatment. Depending where you are and what kind treatment you're provided you're blown off or misdiagnosed.

 

[Marvel545]

I always knew something wasn't right, but it took me a long time to seek help. I thought I was the only person who felt the way I did.

Most of my family don't know about my struggles, kept a brave face on for a long time.

I'm in my mid 20's.

 

[ladee]

I forgot to add that I was diagnosed at age 41.

 

[Spacefish]

It was 2002 (36yrs) that I was diagnosed - but I only found out recently after collecting all my records. When I found "PTSD" in my file, it was like an enormous weight had been shifted. My great fear since early teens at least has been that I was crazy. PTSD = not crazy. I keep reminding myself of that.

But I have big grief over this, if I had only known earlier I would have about 17 years less damage.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I contracted PTSD at age 15, was misdiagnosed borderline at age 19, then was diagnosed cPTSD at age 25/26.
Pretty common I would say. Specially in the case of erroneous diagnosis.