It's Official.

[Jules0408]

I got the diagnosis of ptsd today. I have never felt more relieved in my life, I was actually smiling and bouncing when I left the office. My new T said its a form with depression on top. He's great, took the time to sit down and listen to everything I had to say and just wow, I'm looking forward to getting on the track for recovery. I start my meds tomorrow and see him again in May.

 

[TimeToHeal]

I actually can totally relate to this!

For years and years I received diagnosis after diagnosis - all of which pointed to me being the problem...there was something wrong with me. It wasn't until about 5 years ago that a wonderful therapist FINALLY put it all together, diagnosed me with PTSD, and said I had lived basically my entire life in a "trauma response." It was so validating and freeing! There was actually a REASON for things, and it wasn't just that I was a bad person!

So yeah, I understand you being happy about it! :)

 

[Deleted member 1860]

It IS a freeing feeling!

But it's also sad that most other mental disorders point to the patient being bad/wrong/etc. Maybe that's why we get so many people who come here and actually want PTSD when they don't have it; because then they can point to an external reason for their problems rather than an internal one.

 

[InsideAWord]

Really?

I had the exact opposite experience. I didn't know that what was happening to me was considered PTSD. I felt lost, I felt crazy.

 

[Jules0408]

I'm just happy to finally know what is going on, I think the reason I didn't get it last year is because I didn't properly explain my story to the last psych. Thanks to some wonderful people on here, I was able to give him the whole story.

 

[Ed Norton]

I did not feel excited by my diagnosis per se but I did feel validated. For a long time I was complaining about symptoms of PTSD and my original therapist just ignored me and told me to move on. I still avoid my family because they do not understand PTSD and just assume that I am crazy and treat me as such.But, truth be told I do not want to have PTSD. I understand how validating the diagnosis can be
though

 

[Justmehere]

@Jules0408. I admire your hope and I think you have a great attitude! Good work telling him all that you did!

I was discouraged when I first got the diagnosis of PTSD as an adult. I knew I had PTSD on some level, but I wasn't ready to deal with the fact I really was a victim and not just a bad person - somehow feeling like a bad person felt more "fixable." I think my thinking was really off! Now I see the diagnosis see it as useful tool, and a way to recover and live a fuller life.

I'm so glad you feel some validation and relief!

 

[Jules0408]

@Justmehere Talk about a huge relief. I honestly would have never considered PTSD or even mentioning it as a possibility to my GP if I had not found this site.