My Feelings About Self Diagnosis, I'm Venting!

[Grama-Herc]

While this may not be a very popular thread, I still feel the need to express my negative feelings. It seems that more and more people are coming to the forum looking for someone to give them a diagonsis of PTSD. Others come on line assuming they have it because they think they have some of the symptoms for some silly reason that makes no sense.

I am beginning to feel like PTSD is the current *thing* to have. Like it is a fashion statement or something. Just another issue to add to their list of life accomplishments. Personally, I find it rather insulting. I think it deminishes the seriousness of this condition and gives the wrong impression to the rest of the world that does not understand what real sufferers are going through.

I know the forum is open to everyone and all are welcome. I just get really angry when someone thinks they have PTSD because someone pissed in their cereal.

Go to the dam doctor, get evaluated, seek treatment of some kind and then come on line to the forum and interact with us! Just because someone called you names or boycotted your party YOU DO NOT HAVE PTSD. Sorry to yell but I see more and more people joining the forum and their first statement is "I think I have ptsd because----------------------------------", and it is always some idiotic, stupid, inane reason that makes no sense when relating to a serious condition that causes intense emotional and physical pain.

OK, now I feel better. I've said my piece. But I do wonder if I am the only person here who feels like this

 

[TLight]

No Herc,

You aren't the only person who feels that way. I read some of those too, but I guess I just sort of ignore it. And yes, it does feel like it diminishes what I'm going through. I read some of it and sometimes I comment, most times I don't. It is too infuriating and I just don't need anything else to be angry about.

But I ditto your vent.

 

[cherryblossom]

I doubt that you are the only person who feels that way Herc, and I 'get' where you are coming from. However, it is the nature of forums in general, and also the age that we now live in. People have access to so much information now on the www, that they feel they can self-diagnose. Who needs a doctor, when they have all this information at their fingertips?

I also think that maybe you are right about PTSD being the 'latest thing'. A reason for false compensation claims and false disabilty claims. Or just a reason for a pity party, seeking attention, or looking for sympathy.

However, I would like to say and hope that it's true, that genuine members will stick around to learn from and support one another. From the people I've met here, those with genuine PTSD and their carers are here to learn more about PTSD, it's symptoms and to learn how to help themselves get to a better place. Genuine PTSDers don't want sympathy or compensation, they want to get better and understand their illness more.

Anthony and Nicolette have provided a place where no-nonsense is tolerated, and that's why this site works. And I honestly believe that those who dont genuinely have PTSD, soon get bored, because they don't get the sympathy, or pity, or attention they were looking for. The reason being, that this site has absolutely the right information for it's members to be able to see right through those non-genuine claims.

Having said that, writing an introduction on a site can be a daunting task, and people may not always be able to say everything that they need to say. I think it's important to keep an open mind, and give everyone a chance to have their say. Like I said, if they're not genuine, they'll soon slip up and/or get bored when they don't get the attention they were looking for.

 

[Marlene]

While I agree that it feels like having PTSD is sort of an 'in' fad right now, I also agree, like CB said, it is difficult to lay your whole history out on the line in a public forum. When I first joined the forum, I had no idea why I had PTSD. It took several months of therapy and going back into my past to bring things forward. It didn't make sense to me at the beginning why it was happening to me.

There's also those attention/sympathy seekers that will say or do anything to be someone's focus. Good, bad and everything in between is human and therefore what we have to deal with. I tend to ignore new people until I see them around for a bit and read their stuff. I don't know if I'm being judgemental or what, but I do know I've invested a lot of emotional time in people that just *poof*, so I reserve it now.

If having PTSD is now some sort of fashion statement, I'd be glad to give mine to some poor, under-PTSD-priviledged whomever. Gladly give it away. One thing I've noticed...and maybe this is a good sign...is that with the advent of several shows about helping people with OCD, hoarding, anixety, etc. that mental health is being talked about a little less in whispers and more as a fact of life. Plus with more vets having PTSD, it's become something that's taking a more front page place. This sounds terrible, I know, but if some big celebrity came out with the fact that they had PTSD, suddenly it would be spoken about with respect and people would talk about how brave this person was, blah, blah. Same thing with domestic abuse, childhood abuse, rape, etc. When celebs talk about them they stop being dirty little secrets. It's stupid and sucks that it comes to that...such is life.

*Stepping off the soapbox now*

Lisa

 

[Grama-Herc]

I applaud and agree with everyone. Just glad I'm not alone. Marlene is correct in her recommendation about waiting to see how a new member to the forum handles themselves.

Besides, I'm not here for the world and their ptsd. I'm here to try and manage this thing and develope some kind of life.

 

[externalsmile]

Not been around long enough to see it yet but I see how annoying it can be. Even though I am a mental health nurse I didn't have a clue that I had PTSD until my doctor diagnosed me after I was mugged and it was only over the following weeks that we decided that I had it for years beforehand because of child abuse and what we were seeing was just symptoms getting worse.

I do agree with the poster that mentioned that sometimes a newbie might be only letting out little tidbits of information. I know that is what I do because I have a control thing with privacy because I would have had my privacy and personal space invaded growing up so I can see how some people do hold back. Especially given it is the internet and things can so easily be seen.

But yes, self-diagnosis is bad. If people feel there is something wrong they need to go to a doctor to find out if there is something that needs treatment. Writing on an internet forum get you to recovery. It will only assist in recovery when the right treatment is in place.

 

[reallydown]

I've noticed it too but I generally ignore it...I've also noticed a friend of mine suddenly tell me she finally understands me, quote the symptoms at me (even though they make no sense with her situation)...It's as if she wants to have ptsd and I'm thinking...Who in their right mind wants to have a disorder of any kind, let alone ptsd?

 

[gdf]

Interesting thoughts and comments.

I will throw out my two cents which may also tick a few people off--my apologies in advance. I don't mind it when people come on and question if they have PTSD and many questions can be answered by reading what is here and approaching other members respectfully. And I think most members will say get a professional diagnosis because members cannot provide that. If I come on to a site like this it behooves me to hang out a while and get to know its tone and rhythm before dumping anger and hostility into the atmosphere. Personally, I do have a problem with people who erupt in anger and attack in their first few days or spring on advice and opinions of others in full attack mode from a distinctly personal viewpoint. I understand fully that PTSD causes these highly emotional reactions but if you come seeking opinions, help or wisdom I don't think it is appropriate to attack impulsively...a lot of things can be said respectfully and most work hard at that. It is nice to have moderators who watch for, and control,this. If I am out of line, I deserve to be reigned in, made aware of other peoples' feelings and counseled. I am very turned off by anger and I find myself not wanting to respond to those types of posts these days because when you're that angry and pissed off at everyone and you don't even know who you are angry with, sorry, but I doubt if the person is really here to seek help...it's more like they just want a public place to throw a tantrum and the internet gives you a fairly anonymous place to do this. I know we're all suffering but PTSD is not a license to act this way. If you venture here wanting someone to say yes you have PTSD I think it is very appropriate to be told to seek a professional diagnosis.

PTSD does seem to be the flavor of the month and a lot of people are getting that diagnosis these days. Conditions seem to come in vogue and go out of vogue and"in" usually occurs about the time a pharmaceutical company has a drug to treat it. And Herc, I think you are right to a large degree, anyone who falls apart over the fact that their favorite teapot fell off the shelf and broke and is diagnosed with PTSD is a little extreme. It seems that caliber of incidents causing PTSD is decreasing and I also question that because the diagnostic criteria is fairly clear.

 

[goingonhope]

I don't like to presume things about people who find the forum and write their introduction based upon what they think, because quite frankly I don't make a habit of trusting most people's ....'thinkers'. I prefer and trust experience.

Truthfully the ego' pisses me off anyhow, whether it's mine, yours or the newbie's finding the forum. Just don't have much tolerance for it. Still mine gets me into trouble too often, and that of other's just tends to rub me the wrong way and disrupt what might of otherwise been a good day.

(My mini vent now): This whole thread stresses me! And, I did it to myself!!!!!!

Can always understand a vent, though not necessarily the discussion part that sometimes will follow; but that's just me. Also, no wonder we end up venting; IMO, this whole world is disturbing!

Why? Because I'm not in control of it and who and what happens in it. (Smiles & Laugh Out Loud) ....We may as well laugh, right? because the alternative would be..........

(and you can't see this part below right, ...as it's hidden???:) (smiles)

..........to piece by piece rip the little necks off anyone who's sane, lying and attempting to fake that they have Ptsd. That's the big part of this now discussion that I'm having the most difficulty with :crazy:accepting. :crazy: & (LOL)

 

[goingonhope]

to piece by piece rip the little necks off anyone who's sane, lying and attempting to fake that they have Ptsd. That's the big part of this now discussion that I'm having the most difficulty with accepting.

BTW, this isn't referring to people finding the forum here and posting. This is specifically in referenece to an apparent reality, which I've read one too many experiences of in which real people are lying and faking Ptsd; And, this I find most disruptive and disturbing! So disruptive that it does sorta' make one not want to even trust anything short of clear (shared) experience and proof.

 

[Suzanne]

Hello there. I am new here so of course, I have not seen specific instances yet, of what you are referring to but I can relate to your frustration in other areas of my life.

I was diagnosed with CPTSD about six years ago. I struggled, untreated, for seven years prior to that. My diagnosis is co-morbid with Chronic Unipolar Depression and I also have struggled with a unique identity crisis which came from being a "third culture kid". My PTSD is linked to childhood sibling abuse, and later, rape, kidnapping and domestic violence as an adult. Whenever I hear a woman complain of "sexual harrassment" (and then subsequent "emotional distress") in the workplace, I have to bite my tongue until I have heard all the facts. Most of the time, when I have heard all the facts, it's all I can do to keep myself from slapping the person. I have to literally excuse myself, and walk quickly away in order to avoid a verbal confrontation that is neither appropriate or welcome.

I do understand your frustration and your anger (righteous as it may be.) I just wanted to say I see myself and my own frustration mirrored in your comments. I agree with your assessment of such people.

Best wishes,
Suzanne

 

[Grama-Herc]

my point exactly