Undiagnosed Newbie here - how do i get a proper diagnosis?

[May24]

Hi, I just joined this forum. I am sure that I suffer from C-PTSD. At this moment I am reading the book of Pete Walker.

Two years ago I went to a special unit for people with PTSD (and C-PTSD) but they told me that I did not meet the criteria because I did not remember I was sexually abused (I was given sleeping pills when I was a toddler but I do remember fragments) and because the abuse in my childhood was merely verbally and emotional abuse by my mother, which is not true (and I have told them) I was not allowed to play with other children or invite someone at our home. In the classroom I was bullied by catholic nuns because my mother was protestant and we were catholic (this was in the sixties/seventies) and in our neighbourhood our family was not liked because of the dysfunctional family it was. Even when I met my husband my inlaws blamed me for what my family did.

And that's just a part of it because I married someone who behaves just like my mother when he's angry and that triggers me a lot.

I also did not meet the criteria (I was told) because I am having emotional flashbacks and that's not in the DSM V.

Anyway. I really do believe that I suffer from C-PTSD instead of the wrong diagnosis I was provided with (bipolar and I just don't recognise myself in that diagnose). Now I'm reading Pete Walker's book it all comes together.

I hope to regain more insight on this forum and perhaps go back to get the right diagnose and the proper treatment.

Ps: forgive me my 'poor English' I'm from the Netherlands.

 

[EveHarrington]

Hi and welcome!

I’m not sure about the process for getting a diagnosis in your country (in terms of who can diagnose), but in the USA I’ve gotten my (repeat) diagnosis from psychiatrists who are trauma aware (not all are).

I will say that I do not believe that the DSM breaks down the requirements in terms of what kinds of flashbacks one must experience. I have emotional flashbacks only at this point (although I did have visual ones in the past). Some people only see things, some only smell things, some only feel things (physically/emotionally), some only hear things....what I mean is that there are a variety of different kinds of flashbacks.

I hope you can find the local help you’re looking for!

:hug:

 

[ladee]

Your English is great, better than mine, and it's my language !!
I guess I am blessed to be diagnosed when I was, back in the early 90's, because I have some of the same issues you have. But I know, and my Pdoc at the time knew , yes, I did have PTSD...

Possibly finding a personal Pdoc would help. A more personal interaction with someone who is qualified to diagnose you.

And welcome !!! Hope you find the help and support you need here. A lot of people to help support and validate us... and we even laugh here sometimes.. a good balance. Glad you found us... let us know if you found someone to help with that DX.... glad you are here.

 

[May24]

Hmmm...I have typed something on my telephone but I can't find it anymore. Now at my computer :) thank you for the warm welcome. I guess I will be doing a lot of reading in the near future (bibliotherapy) and trying to feel some feelings (I don't know if I have alexythymia but I do know that I have great problems with feelings) before I will enter a new phase with a new therapist. Problem was that I could say things with a great smile on my face and inside I was dying! Does that sounds familiar?

 

[LilyRose]

Hi, welcome
Where did you get your diagnosis? Maybe i can help, i am dutch too.
If it is easier, we can start a private conversation

 

[May24]

Hiya. Wel the bipolar diagnosis I got from a psychiatrist. After I joined a Facebook group I found out that I had nothing in common with the other group members and put 1 and 1 together. For the diagnosis of C-PTSD I went to a outpatient clinic that treats cops and firemen with PTSD but I only saw two students there and looking at their lists. Well they gave a PTSD diagnose but only to work with but not as a proper diagnosis.

<Moderator Edit - English Language Forum - Any questions, please open a help ticket>

 

[littleoc]

I have no advice, but I wanted to welcome you :)

 

[LilyRose]

ok that is weird. which center was that? you should have been able to see a real psychologist and a psychiatrist.

<Moderator Edit - English Language Forum - Any questions, please open a help ticket>

 

[May24]

Well that doesn't matter anymore. I put a veto on all their information after they wanted to put everything about what I told them (about being molested by my GP when I was 16) in a letter to my GP. Finally they had to destroy their results and I went on with my wrong diagnosis (bipolar but I do not need medication or therapy wich seems a bit odd to me if I am diagnosed with type I) and started reading but lately I am feeling terrible (due to Hashimoto's) and got my nightmares back. That's why I joined this forum to get a better insight. So for a proper diagnosis you need a psychologist and a psychiatrist. My first ever psychiatrist listened to my story and urged me to stop seeing my parents. So I guess he saw things as they were.

 

[littleoc]

So for a proper diagnosis you need a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

Yes, that sounds like it would be the best idea.

Good luck

 

[LilyRose]

Well that doesn't matter anymore

Well, if you change your mind or have questions, i'm here.

 

[May24]

I did not change my mind. My goal is to get more insight on C-PTSD and implement that insight in my daily life. There is no documentation about my first attempt to get a proper diagnosis (I do have that documentation written on their stationery but officially it is gone for good) and I want to make a fresh start with another institute. But first I need more insight about my own emotions etc. BTW I do not know how I can start a private conversation on this thread/forum. Too much of a newbie I guess :)