Undiagnosed Is This Ptsd?

[ForestMa]

About 6 weeks ago my Husband's ship had a catastrophic fire. They all thought they were going to die, as a fire on ship is about the worst thing to happen. After 11 hours the got the fire out, and were stranded without power until another ship came to help. Two days later they had another, but smaller fire.

He was one of the first guys to come home, mentally he isn't here though. Somedays he seems like his old self. Most of the time, however, he's super stressed, short tempered. He isn't sleeping well, and basically acts like I do when I have a depressive episode ( I have Depression and anxiety disorders). He admits he feels off, and has been seeing a counsellor.

If this is PTSD, what can I do to help him?

 

[WillyKat]

Welcome to the forum.

We can't diagnose over the web, especially indirectly. So let me just say this: PTSD is strongly associated with life-threatening events, but not all life-threatening events cause PTSD. There are a lot of other factors involved. And just because he's having difficulties after his and his shipmate's lives were in danger is perfectly understandable. In other words, given what happened, he's behaving more or less normally.

His counsellor is the person that must figure out whether it's PTSD or not.

The good news here is that the likelihood that it is PTSD is greatly reduced (my opinion) primarily because he's seeing a counsellor and has you. In fact, that's great news. I know it seems hard right now, but believe me, you two are doing all the right things.

You *are* helping him already. To help him more, just let him talk about it if he feels the urge. Tell him you'll listen anytime he needs to just talk.

 

[Deleted member 19804]

I second what @WillyKat said. We can't diagnose him over the internet, but you both are very welcome to visit this forum as much as you like. I hope we can help you find recognition and support.

 

[ForestMa]

Thanks, I know that Dr. Google has done us all a disservice. Internet diagnoses are dangerous, you are right. I'm overly worried because we have a toddler and are expecting baby number two in a few weeks.

I'm going to go with him to one of his sessions soon, to hear what the counsellor says. I'm hoping that after living with my disorders for a decade I will be able to help him cope. I keep reassuring him that I love him no matter what, and encouraging him to talk about it.

 

[Caterpillar]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I know strong family support and immediate counseling can reduce the incidence and severity of PTSD and other problems after a traumatic event, so it sounds like you're doing everything right and have every reason to hope that your husband will continue healing. It takes time to process a traumatic event even in the absence of PTSD, which is why there's a time requirement (I think it's 3 months after the trauma) for PTSD to be diagnosed. I agree with WillyKat that your husband's reactions may be within the range of normal for what he's experienced.

I think it's very good that you're going to talk to his counselor and hope you get the answers you need.

 

[ForestMa]

Thanks! For some reason I was under the impression it was earlier than that for diagnoses. I just keep reminding myself that I have to take it day by day, and that when he is distant it isn't him.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

PTSD can be diagnosed after 1 month minimum, not 3, but that doesn't mean that everyone with symptoms after 1 month will get a PTSD diagnosis. Hopefully it won't develop into PTSD.

 

[Caterpillar]

Has it always been one month for diagnosis, or was that a change in the DSM V? I know I was told 3 months, but it's also possible the person who said it was confused.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I think it was 1 month in DSM-IV as well. Mine is subtype delayed onset so I have no personal experience with this criterion, rather that's what's always been said here on the forum (and I've been here on and off for longer than I care to remember!)

 

[anthony]

Post-traumatic stress (PTS) it sounds very much like... but lets just leave the disorder part of it for now. PTS is normal after such an event, and the best thing you can do is to get him motivated, get him talking about what he felt, feels now, and how it has affected him. Also best to get him back onto another ship as quickly as possible, the same as getting back on the horse, so to speak. Avoidance will only make things worse for him. He needs to be honest with someone though about what he feels... whether you, or someone who he went through it with, but he needs to be honest with himself and get it out. Trying to bottle it up hoping it will go away, will only likely make it all that much worse for him later.

 

[intothelight]

Hi Forestma,

The internet is both good and bad, as it can help raise awareness, but it can also mislead. Your husband really did the right thing by seeking counseling when the symptoms started and hopefully he will reach a full recovery.

Debbie