Ptsd Symptom? Cyclothymia Or Dissociation Or ?!

[naominataliex]

hello .. i'd greatly appreciate any feedback at all!
I was diagnosed with PTSD, depression & anxiety back in 2011-2012, I've suffered through the years on and off with various symptoms at various times.
one thing I've come to realise is a course of "phases", these "phases" can vary from days, to weeks, to months. also varying from super highs, i'll say yes to the whole world, take on way more than I can chew, spend an awful lot of money, a whole variety of other things but then give me a few days and that same world comes tumbling down on me, i'll throw my phone aside, i'll ignore everyone and everything, miss important events, all sorts of things...
i'm prescribed sertraline, which only this past week I've had upped, from 100mg to 150mg.
I've also got myself back into counselling, only had my 1st appointment mind, and am already feeling like everything's coming back to me, i've had a very "down" week. I've been put on a waiting list for a psychiatrist too.
I've spoke to my doctor about these phases and how the sertraline doesn't seem to affect these phases.
i'm wondering are these phases a symptom of ptsd? It doesn't seem to resonate into dissociation with what I've read so far, so I seem to think it borders on cyclothymia?
I don't know, so this is why I ask for any opinion at all on the matter. I am driving myself mad with constantly analysing myself, not seeming to get much of an opinion from my doctors, etc ...

 

[Deleted member 541]

Sounds like bipolar, but the symptoms of most mental disorders can look like any one of any mental disorder. PTSD symptoms for me, can vary, can wax and wane. But I've done many yrs of working on things, so I'm not too much bothered these days.

 

[J'qel]

It does, indeed, sound like bipolar. Typically bipolar swings last for days or weeks.

PTSD is usually an amalgamation of anxiety, depression, hyperawareness/hypervigilance, and a plethora of other less standard responses that vary from person to person. The first three are almost always present in PTSD due to an extended period in "survival mode" due to trauma.

If you find your mood swings are the most prevalent issues, you may certainly be bipolar, but that doesn't mean you can't also have PTSD. It's the gift that keeps on giving >.<

Highly suggest a professional evaluation, since this is the internet :P

 

[7Cs]

hello .. i'd greatly appreciate any feedback at all!
I was diagnosed with PTSD, depression & anx...

Cyclothymia is much more rapid cycling. Think hours or days instead of weeks or months (it sounds like you get more weeks/ months than hours/days?)

What you describe sounds more like bipolar 1 or 2 depending on how "manic" you get.

All and all, none of us laypersons can tell you what it is for sure. It could be ptsd, bipolar, borderline or something totally different. I know it's hard to wait for a dx. and sometimes when we get them we still don't agree with them. But it is best left up to the professionals and if the dx doesn't fit, don't wear it. Find someone else for a second or 3rd opinion.

While you wait, there's nothing wrong with learning all you want to about the different diagnoses, just try not to self dx. Easier said than done, I know.

And regardless of what the final dx is, it doesn't change who you are, it only changes how your symptoms are treated. :)

 

[MindfullyPTSD]

It does, indeed, sound like bipolar. Typically bipolar swings last for days or weeks.

PTSD is usually a...

Sertraline can make hypomania worse. It did for me. Now I take a wee bit of SNRI with a mood stabilizer (lithium) for cyclothymia with PTSD. Also take a bunch of supplements.