Undiagnosed Ptsd Or Not?

[Frankie111]

Hi there, I would really appreciate some opinions from other people who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Since August I have been feeling complete emotional numbness. I do not have any other symptoms of PTSD, ie I do not have any flashbacks of any traumatic event and can 't even recall ever experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. I am feeling very down about my lack of emotions as I can't feel love for any member of my family the way I used to do and feel like something really bad could happen to one of my family and it just wouldn't effect me at all. I have been to see several doctors about this matter and have even been assessed by a psychiatrist and they have all said that I am suffering from depression and anxiety! But the only thing I am depressed or anxious about is my inability to feel any emotions. So I was just wondering what your opinions on the matter is. I would really appreciate any response. Thanks.

 

[Sandra]

Welcome to the forum Frankie.

 

[amethist]

Hi Frankie

If all you are feeling is emotional numbness and have not been involved in anything traumatic, then it is not PTSD. You do not want that diagnosis, depression or anxiety you can heal and they are curable, PTSD is a different ball game and there is no cure to date.

So if you have had a professional assessment and they say you have depression, which on its own can cause emotional numbness, and anxiety, then listen to them and follow their instruction. Go do what they suggest and try and do more good things for yourself. Time will make a difference to you, but from what you have said, you do not have PTSD.

Amethist

 

[Frankie111]

Hi, thank you for taking your time to reply, I really appreciate it. I have been having trouble sleeping too over the last few months, but again all the doctors have put this down to anxiety. I certainly haven't been involved in anything traumatic directly. About thirty years ago I did witness a member of my family being attacked / threatened by another member of my family. But this is not something I have even thought about over the years and even now when I think about it I don't feel stressed about it and it doesn't concern me, it's just I have been trying to think of an excuse as to why I may have PTSD and that is the only " traumatic event" I can think of in my life. Could that be enough to bring on PTSD or does this really not sound like PTSD at all?

 

[amethist]

Does not sound like it, like they have told you it could be depression, whcih can be cuase by a number of things.

Maybe the best thing you could do is speak to a Councillor, as that would help maybe find just what the cause is. Looking for a diagnosis yourself on the internet is a dangerous thing to do, for anyone.

Please rad this link and see that "Self diagnosis is definitive not an option".

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/self-diagnosis-is-not-an-option.13882/[/DLMURL]

 

[lifeguard17]

It doesn't sound like PTSD to me, but I am really no expert! It sounds more like you're suffering from depression to me, from watching friends and family members go through it. As amethist says, talk to your doctor. If they don't see very confidant in what they are saying, find another. You have to be confidant in your doctor, you have to believe that they know what they are saying, or you won't ever trust them or believe in their diagnoses, which means you won't ever get better. Good luck!

 

[Frankie111]

Thanks for the link amethist, I just read that and I know I shouldn't self diagnose, I am just desperate to know what is wrong with me as nothing feels "normal" in my mind right now.

Thanks for your reply too lifeguard17, you sound like my husband, who keeps telling me I won't ever get better until I believe what the doctors are saying. I have actually been to see at least three different doctors, a psychiatrist and two mental health team members have also assessed me and all of them have said the same thing, yet I can't get the fact that i think it's
PTSD out of my mind, as like I say the only thing I am depressed or anxious about is that I can't feel my emotions at all anymore for anyone or anything.

 

[lifeguard17]

you sound like my husband, who keeps telling me I won't ever get better until I believe what the doctors are saying.

He's right. If you trust your doctor, it makes getting better so much easier. You don't have to believe your doctor, but you do have to trust them, and trust that they have your best interests at heart, which unfortunately doesn't happen as often as you'd like it to.

 

[pi314159]

I'm sorry to hear you have emotional numbness.

It's obvious you are suffering - don't worry about the label you are given, just worry about getting better.

 

[Paranoid10]

Dear Frankie,
Welcome to the forum. I have to agree with what previous people have stated. If you have 3 different mental health professionals telling you the same thing, chances are, they are correct. Regardless of that, I want you to know that you are welcome here and feel free to talk about whatever is on your mind. If I can be of any help, just drop me a line. Very Respectfully, Paranoid10.

 

[amethist]

Hi Frankie

I have cut and pasted this for you read, from our Wiki pages. No one here can or will tell you, you have PTSD, this will and can only be done by a professional, which so far they have all told you you do not have. you cannot fit yourself intot he diagnosis, it doe not work that way, and never will.

[DLMURL]https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/wiki/index/[/DLMURL]

Self-Diagnosis

The worst view any individual can have towards a diagnosis is an attempt to self diagnose, or fit themselves within a diagnosis. Diagnosis does not work that way. The cautionary statement below, is the official statement from the DSM IV TR criterion, which contains keywords and phrases that are often dismissed when reviewing any diagnosis. [1] The key you must know about diagnosis, is that every diagnosis comes with assessment tools. These are a set of industry questionnaires that have been tailored to find specific responses across a range of emotional, individual and lifestyle aspects. There are practical components that can only be assessed face-to-face with a trained physician. Without these combined tools of assessment, a diagnosis is just words.

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A few members on here have suggested various things, yet you still keep asking the same question. Please go speak to a Councillor, as this is the only way you are going to put your mind at rest.

You may have had depression for a while, but it is only recently that you yourself have noticed the change. Maybe ask close friends or relatives if they noticed anything before you did.

Amethist

 

[Ladyhope Somerset]

Hello Frankie,

I totally agree with Amethist. It would be best to talk to your mental health professional again or at least your GP. If you have been prescribed medication then maybe it's not the right one for you. If you're not feeling any benefit you can ask to try something else.