New Direction With Therapy, And A New Experience With A.psychiatrist

[kahlan]

I've been with me new therapist for a few months now, it took awhile to get back into it because I despise change and new things. I was however pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I became with him. We currently are at a point of contention though. I hate having a label put on me, as most diagnoses I've had really don't totally fit and are usually a mix match of whatever looks like it will fit. He's set on PTSD. I've had it mentioned as a possibilty in the past but didn't have a few of the major symptoms. That's all changed though. In the past six to seven months my anxiety has gone through the roof and now am having a lot of trouble with sleep as I keep waking up thinking my ex is there to hurt me.

It took a couple months of this before I actually got back in therapy (again I hate new things/people) and now I have an appointment with the staff psychiatrist at the center I go to this week. I don't know what to expect, and it's making me nervous.

 

[Echo]

@kahlan - I hope it goes better than you think. Is this in addition to your therapist?

 

[Abstract]

Kahlan, I can't say I surprised about the PTSD from what you described more recently. I know it is a scary one but just remember that a diagnoses doesn't in any way describe who you are. It merely describes a set of symptoms that you as an individual will experience in your own unique way.

Sometimes scary things can be the start of making good changes for us. Good luck and let us know how you go.

 

[kahlan]

Yes, its in addition to my T. T has attempted to put me at ease over it, I just really hate hate hate meeting new people and being in unfamiliar surroundings.

Also abstract, thank you. I know this I just can't match it up with how it (even if its just a name) makes me feel :/

 

[BloomInWinter]

It would be unethical and unprofessional for a mental health professional to proceed with a treatment plan without a diagnosis. In the U.S., it also negates most insurance reimbursement.

Each medical diagnosis has a basic treatment regimen with clear benchmarks to ensure patients are making satisfactory progress. I understand not wanting a formal diagnosis - believe me, I went through this too - but it's unfair to ask a professional to operate outside the boundaries required by his work, his professional ethics, and billing requirements.

The accurate label helps us receive the help we need. If we had cancer, would we not want to receive the best treatment plan possible? Once I got an accurate diagnosis, I got wayyyy more help from the insurance company.

 

[kahlan]

I know all that. Its more me not wanting to accept it I guess. It feels strange to me. I came here as a supporter for my boyfriend who has combat PTSD, and now I'm diagnosed with it. In all honesty, it makes sense in my head, I just cant stop wanting to fight it :/

 

[BloomInWinter]

Yeah, I'm still wishing it was all a mistake myself.

I'm sorry things are so hard. It gets easier...but the fact of it is still just lousy. I do think the acceptance of it is a long process and there is some real grief that walks alongside us.

 

[Abstract]

Kahlan, three years plus on and I still have problems accepting it. It's totally normal to find this difficult. I imagine too that it makes it extra hard that you have been the supporter as it will be hard not to make assumptions of what this will be like for you.

Try just to take one small step at a time. Remember that if this is PTSD then a lot of your fear and is about other things and this dr. Good luck.