Undiagnosed Newcomer - let down by mental health system who won’t diagnose or treat

[Lucycat]

I have CPTSD, diagnosed and treated (very well) on the NHS. However I acknowledge it is a Postcode Lottery and I am one of the lucky few.

I have also learned over the past few years whereby I was actively encouraged into psychoeducation - that there is a lot of overlap, between opinions of personality disorders and PTSD diagnoses. Also there is a growing theory that the actual diagnosis is less relevant than identifying the individual troublesome symptoms and forming treatment modalities to address these.

 

[Survivor3]

I have CPTSD, diagnosed and treated (very well) on the NHS. However I acknowledge it is a Postcode Lottery and I am one of the lucky few.

I have also learned over the past few years whereby I was actively encouraged into psychoeducation - that there is a lot of overlap, between opinions of personality disorders and PTSD diagnoses. Also there is a growing theory that the actual diagnosis is less relevant than identifying the individual troublesome symptoms and forming treatment modalities to address these.

can you define psychoeducation and individual symptoms?

 

[Lucycat]

Of course.Psychoeducation is the learning about psychology - in its widest terms. I read and read everything I could find to understand what the mind does or tries to do with trauma. From mis- alignment of memories, so that they torment you, to the reasons for disociation and hypervigilance. So, not just what happens but why it happens in terms of biology.

When it comes to symptoms, it is about whether sleeplessness and nightmares, re-experiencing, flashbacks, emotional dysregulation, intrusive thinking, etc etc. Not everybody has every symptom, so you need to address whatever is a problem for the individual.

 

[Survivor3]

Of course.Psychoeducation is the learning about psychology - in its widest terms. I read and read everything I could find to understand what the mind does or tries to do with trauma. From mis- alignment of memories, so that they torment you, to the reasons for disociation and hypervigilance. So, not just what happens but why it happens in terms of biology.

When it comes to symptoms, it is about whether sleeplessness and nightmares, re-experiencing, flashbacks, emotional dysregulation, intrusive thinking, etc etc. Not everybody has every symptom, so you need to address whatever is a problem for the individual.

Thanks for replying Lucycat. That's really good and your obviously well informed by the subject matter. I've also read about certain psychological subjects and diagnosis as best I can for my own interest.
It's good chatting with someone who is as informed as yourself.

 

[Abstract]

Hi and welcome.
The NHS can definitely be hit and miss affair when it comes to this stuff. Have you tried some of the charity organisations?I did that. If you want to discuss it do you want to tell us what practitioners and services you have had access to? What symptoms exactly did you mention when you spoke to them? I think they sometimes form an idea of the issue and then can't see past it. Have you seen a psychiatrist?

 

[Survivor3]

Hi and welcome.
The NHS can definitely be hit and miss affair when it comes to this stuff. Have you tried some of the charity organisations?I did that. If you want to discuss it do you want to tell us what practitioners and services you have had access to? What symptoms exactly did you mention when you spoke to them? I think they sometimes form an idea of the issue and then can't see past it. Have you seen a psychiatrist?

Hello Abstract. Yes I saw a psychiatrist and they were horrendous.
Patronising, lying about information in their reports and don't even acknowledge that I have a history of serious trauma. I don't have anything good to say about them. No support whatsoever.

Thanks for replying Lucycat. That's really good and your obviously well informed by the subject matter. I've also read about certain psychological subjects and diagnosis as best I can for my own interest.
It's good chatting with someone who is as informed as yourself.

I think I suffer from some of the symptoms you've mentioned Lucycat. I'll read up about them and maybe we can talk about it if that's ok with you?

Of course.Psychoeducation is the learning about psychology - in its widest terms. I read and read everything I could find to understand what the mind does or tries to do with trauma. From mis- alignment of memories, so that they torment you, to the reasons for disociation and hypervigilance. So, not just what happens but why it happens in terms of biology.

When it comes to symptoms, it is about whether sleeplessness and nightmares, re-experiencing, flashbacks, emotional dysregulation, intrusive thinking, etc etc. Not everybody has every symptom, so you need to address whatever is a problem for the individual.

I think I suffer from some of these symptoms lucycat. Maybe we can talk about it at some point. Some good advice on how to manage them would be very helpful.

 

[Abstract]

Do you have the resources to perhaps choose your own psychiatrist and do an evaluation under your own steam? You can then look for someone who specialises in trauma. Not all pdocs do.

What is most affecting you in your day to day life at the moment? Remember just because help has been a disaster before doesnt mean that that will always be the case for us. With the NHS I think we often need to gather info ourselves and sometimes look for resources elsewhere. Some are strong enough to keeping fighting the system till they get what they need. Personally couldnt

 

[yellow rose]

Hi everyone. I've just joined. I am a trauma survivor and looking for support. I have been severely let down by mental health services who won't even diagnose me let alone treat me. Ptsd is painful and can make me isolated. Hoping to meet people here for sharing and positive reinforcement.

Hello. nice to meet you. I am sorry you are struggling to get help
that must be terrible for you
I too have been alot of trauma

 

[Survivor3]

Hello. nice to meet you. I am sorry you are struggling to get help
that must be terrible for you
I too have been alot of trauma

Hi yellow rose, nice to meet you.

Do you have the resources to perhaps choose your own psychiatrist and do an evaluation under your own steam? You can then look for someone who specialises in trauma. Not all pdocs do.

What is most affecting you in your day to day life at the moment? Remember just because help has been a disaster before doesnt mean that that will always be the case for us. With the NHS I think we often need to gather info ourselves and sometimes look for resources elsewhere. Some are strong enough to keeping fighting the system till they get what they need. Personally couldnt

Hi abstract, I'm living on a shoestring due to my benefits being cut, that said I've just found a private counsellor/therapist who has given me a discounted rate. I feel so much better already knowing that they are there.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I'm so glad you found somebody. My first therapist who diagnosed me with PTSD, didn't diagnose for 6 months. I asked him if I had it, since my brother had it, and he said yes. He told me he didn't like to diagnose, just treat the symptoms as they present. It takes awhile to form a good diagnosis, and if you are diagnosed the first or second time (not saying you were, you in general), it's probably not a good diagnosis.

Many people are diagnosed with personality disorders, or bi-polar before they get diagnosed with PTSD. I was diagnosed bi-polar by a psychiatrist an a therapist, and they both were wrong. Good luck with this new therapist, and hopefully you will get a reasonable treatment plan.

 

[Survivor3]

I'm so glad you found somebody. My first therapist who diagnosed me with PTSD, didn't diagnose for 6 months. I asked him if I had it, since my brother had it, and he said yes. He told me he didn't like to diagnose, just treat the symptoms as they present. It takes awhile to form a good diagnosis, and if you are diagnosed the first or second time (not saying you were, you in general), it's probably not a good diagnosis.

Many people are diagnosed with personality disorders, or bi-polar before they get diagnosed with PTSD. I was diagnosed bi-polar by a psychiatrist an a therapist, and they both were wrong. Good luck with this new therapist, and hopefully you will get a reasonable treatment plan.

Thanks for your support dharmagirl. ?

 

[Survivor3]

I'm trying to formulate a plan for myself considering I'm not being helped by external services. A self recovery plan. It's got to the point where I just feel really angry and traumatised by the mental health services themselves. I'm so stressed out I don't eat for days and im in a state of anger and worry. The things my psychiatrist said to me are just unbelievable and sick.