My Ptsd Could Be A Neurological Issue

[SMW83]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with PTSD around 18 months ago subsequent to leaving a very violent and controlling relationship. I then began having episodes of what I believe to be disassociation, initially only having them during times of high anxiety but this has progressed to several times a week.

I have today had a consultation with my GP who feels that due to the frequency of the episodes, what was initially identified as disassociation could possibly be a neurological disorder and a referral has been made to a neurologist. This has left me extremely confused, with me now not knowing if I have PTSD or if this is an issue with my brain.

Has anyone else ever encountered this or ben in a similar situation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sandstone]

I don't have personal experience of this in relation to PTSD, but a family member suffered from severe depression with odd symptoms that included forgetting how to get home and involuntary turning left when walking, even if that meant he walked into a wall or a road.He had a neuro referral and had brain scans and lots of other tests. There proved to be no physical cause. He recovered fully from all of it.

I think you should be glad your GP is so thorough, and isn't writing off what you experience. What are your episodes of dissociation like? I don't think it is unusual to dissociate several times a week. Amongst other sorts of dissociation, I experience derealisation and the frequency of that relates to how often I am put under the sorts of stress that create it. For me, the experience includes everything sounding very distant and echoey, loss of 3D vision and if the stressor stays around for longer it moves to stationary objects starting to flex and bend, then losing the ability to understand what I am seeing. It is one reason why I'm not safe to drive any more.

 

[SMW83]

I do not recall the episodes as such, with me not usually knowing they've happened until coming around from them. They have ranged from being innocuous, such as having sent, text messages I do not recall, coming around with a coat and shoes on in bed or having attempted to make food to somewhat concerning episodes such as taking a large amount of medication, having bitten all my fingernails off to the point they were bleeding profusely and coming around bruised and bloodied.

 

[Sandstone]

That does sound pretty severe, and must be very worrying to experience, but not outside what others here have experienced with dissociation.

If you are already dealing with that amount of confusion, then I can see that having more added over the diagnosis would be difficult. I don't think it is unusual for neurological causes to be investigated, and as I say I'd be happy that my GP was considering all the options.

 

[Be still]

Hi
So pleased to read your post today as I'm with you on this one,I too am searching for the proper diagnosis and care.

This is first post and glad to have found you

Have severe and complex PTSD as result of controlling and dehumanising marriage of 33 years and the rest

increasingly disacotiated state for 50 years ( thought I was a fairy when very young then I could fly away to a safe place in my head)

Have had CPN support for 2 years whose opinion is, severe neurological collapse due to ptsd too long

possible DBT ahead and fortnightly cpn working on grounding tecniques, under psychiatric consultant team,however I do feel like yourself this may be a neurological issue as I feel in a permanent state of feeling drunk and trying to get on some sort of normality with what seems like a stonking hangover all the time,getting slightly better after 6 pm. ...then round we go again for another 24 hours cycle and so on.....
It is sooo weary. Asked one GP about possible neuro issues and referral to neuro psychologist but consultation unfruitful has hadn't had stroke etc. ...I'm very con fused as many of my symptoms are very similar, in photographs noticed my eyes seem to say there's no- one in my head and look totally spaced out and just not ' all there' in my responses and decisions

Your post gave me courage to ask again with another GP so thanks for sharing

Nobody has explained what severe neuro collapse means ....anybody any insight or knowledge? Suspect t it might mean mental breakdown but professionals don't use the term as its not clinical

With deep respect for all ptsd sufferers

Hope you find satisfactory answers,then like myself I can at least be realistic with daily life

 

[SMW83]

Thank you for your reply Be Still. I'm glad my post has given you the courage to approach your GP again. I sincerely hope this will finally bring resolution to what seems so be a protracted and wearisome part of your life.

Having read your reply, many of my symptoms are the same as what you have described, I constantly have a severe headache which never seems to shift, the hungover feeling etc. I have always attributed this to stress or anxiety, I have never considered this may be neurological.

 

[anonymous]

I was referred to a neurologist to assess my tremors and shaking. Even on medication, I continue to have mild hand tremors and hyper reflexes. My neurologist will continue to monitor me and has stated that she may order some scans. At least someone is finally reviewing all the symptoms and try to bring the system into balance.

 

[Deleted member 38093]

Yes it scary neurological disorder Ptsd and C-PTSD. I have psychiatrist and does neuro work with eeg. And it can show up in cat scan for brain.

 

[whiteraven]

When you are experiencing symptoms that are unusual, it's always good to have a thorough evaluation medically. I have epilepsy, dissociative identity disorder, and complex PTSD, and chronic migraine, and have had brain surgery, and many of the symptoms of the dissociation and PTSD mimic the symptoms of the epilepsy and migraine. I have had complete work-ups and I have regular visits with a neurologist to make sure the true neurological stuff is under control so that I can get a proper understanding and treatment of the others.

Just as an FYI, I used to dissociate numerous times a day. I also used to lose days due to dissociation - that's not uncommon, and it's not necessarily an indication of a medical or neurological condition.

Best of luck in your journey!

 

[Hope_N_Highwater]

When you are experiencing symptoms that are unusual, it's always good to have a thorough evaluation...

Whiteraven you said you USED TO dissociate several times a day and lose time. What halped you decrease this?