Sufferer Not Sure I Belong Here... Is It Real Ptsd

[Paz]

I have been reading this forum off and on for a while but just getting up the nerve to post now after talking with my (semi-new and awesome) therapist last week about how I seem to meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, at least according to the DSM 5. Because my "triggering events" are the 3rd and 4th bullets in the "new"/DSM5 criteria, I've been telling myself it's not "real" PTSD (whatever the heck that may be) even though friends who've been through trauma-related shit and friends who are mental health professionals have been raising the possibility for a while. I'm on anti-depressants, they've helped a lot, I tend to tell people I'm depressed/have anxiety problems when talking about it. I feel like what I encountered/experienced isn't possibly bad enough to really cause PTSD and I feel so guilty applying that label to myself (yes, I talked with my therapist about all this).

...but...some stuff happened before talking to new-therapist that made me think about the trauma, so I asked her, after having been pretty vague till that point about what had made me start feeling "depressed/anxious" in the first place. And then talking about it with her made me think about it more, and now I've been having nightmares all week and feel randomly on edge and terrified, even though there is no reasonable reason for it. And some other stuff. Which is all the same kind of thing as how things were at the point a year ago when I realized something was seriously wrong (if not near as bad thank goodness).

So, that's me I guess. If the consensus/moderator view is that it's not appropriate for me to be posting here, I will totally respect that and find somewhere else. It's just...this all resonates and it would be such a *relief* in a way to talk with people who experience similar.

 

[Paz]

Oh and to add to that (god I'm spacey today but that is what sitting at work all day feeling like I'm about to jump out of my skin will do to me it seems). When I was much younger I went through something medically pretty scary, possibly life-threatening at at least one point, and also pretty unnecessary...no one ever talked to me about PTSD at that point but in retrospect what I experienced mentally after that for a long time *feels* a lot like what I'm experiencing now. Haven't talked to new-therapist about that yet but I plan to. Not sure how relevant that is.

 

[The Albatross]

Welcome Paz.

 

[NIKI]

Welcome. :)

 

[Peter M]

Hello Paz, As you this is my first post. I finally got the nerve to join. I wanted to let you know you are not alone in your feelings. It is a roller coaster. I am in a downward turn. Anyway, mainly I wanted to let you know I understand. I am glad you found a good therapist. That in itself can be a challenge. Good thoughts your way.
Peace,
Peter

 

[Venusian]

Hi Paz,
There are a lot of people on here that haven't been formally diagnosed. It helps if you are diagnosed because then you can get the right therapies for you. It is great that you are already talking to a therapist.

The trauma that happened to me happened over 40 years ago and I was only recently officially diagnosed a couple of months ago. I had been experiencing symptoms for many years but didn't know what they were. Once I began to remember what had been repressed for so long, my symptoms began to get more severe. It isn't unusual for this to happen. What you described is very similar. It does get easier, especially if you are talking to someone already.

I also want to reassure you that no one will kick you off the site if you follow the guidlines of the forum. There is a lot of information and good people on here that is a benefit to everyone, even if you haven't been formally diagnosed. I hope you find some of the answers you are looking for.

V

 

[intothelight]

Hi Paz,

Welcome to the PTSD Forum! :)

Receiving a PTSD diagnosis is shocking to say the least, and it really is up to a professional to diagnosis it. Regardless of the label, it is great that you are seeking help and I hope you find it beneficial in your daily. I also hope you find the information and support here helpful to your healing.

Wishing you the best.

Debbie

 

[Paz]

Thank you all so much!! I'm reading your responses before I have to go to work and it's making me feel a bit better. Talking about the diagnosis with my therapist *is* shocking, even though it's also kind of a relief in a weird way. I'm sure that's adding to the combination of things that have me off-balance this week. Now I have to leave for a business trip this afternoon, so I'm not sure how much I'll be around, but I'll be back next week (weekend business trip...why did I sign up for this?!).

PS Peter, I'm glad you decided to join and thanks for understanding.

 

[Paz]

Also, thank you mods for editing the title to give more of an idea of what this post is about! Feeling a bit better today. Hopefully it keeps going into the weekend..

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Welcome to the forum. :)