BloomInWinter
VIP Member
Gather around the campfire, y'all...in the fine tradition of dark tales for dark times.
I'm struck by magnitude and helpfulness of the collective wisdom I've glimpsed on this forum.
I think the elders of this amazing PTSD tribe (that would be all of you reading this!), by virtue of your survival, have some of the best (by that, I mean WORST) real-life tales of hair-raising mis-adventures.
Consider this an invitation to share your experiences into the ugliest, most unhealthy, unhelpful, damaging, - and just plain evil - therapy failures out there in the enormous range of our collective PTSD tribal experience.
Perhaps just our bringing forth of these failures (intentional or not) will open eyes. Maybe we will help raise awareness of what to avoid/watch out for. Selfishly, I am hoping to learn how to successfully navigate my way around these should they pop up in my recovery, now that I realize this is going to be a lifelong journey for me.
I'll share this one first;
My Primary Care Physician, (who I'm stuck with) has been treating me for years.
I've paid thousands of dollars for multiple out-of-pocket expenses for 'alternative' treatments for thyroid, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, immuno-suppression, multiple chemical sensitivity, severe adrenal fatigue, mysterious recurring pains, reproductive health issues...and never ONCE did I receive any mental health assessment nor any referral to a qualified mental health professional. Just tests, tests, and more tests, pills, and discounting anything other than just symptoms as related to physical illnesses treatable by medication. ;)
I told my PCP that my T. had diagnosed me with PTSD (months ago! They never seem to have the time to update their communication unless I ask...then it's usually wrong in my chart until I keep asking them to update correctly) and my PCP's response? "Your symptoms are all probably from elevated lead and mercury levels" and she handed me yet two more expensive 'tests' to do at home and mail in - so I can then go through expensive out-of-pocket 'treatment' that she dispenses out of her office. Thanks, but no.
Hmmmm....yes, my levels are 'elevated' but not 'high.' I grew up in the US where I had two chain-smoking parents who drove cars with leaded gas, and painted our house with lead paint. Our air is filthy from unregulated coal fired power plants with tons of toxic mercury in our air. NONE of waterways in my state have fish that have 'safe levels of mercury for pregnant women.' Of COURSE the values are 'elevated!' - but if my symptoms are that, why don't more people with elevated levels have this cluster of PTSD symptoms?
How I *wish* I had an idea that the multiple traumas in my life could be causing my bizarre array of symptoms. Live and learn (and pay out thousands of dollars, apparently)...
I believe our healthcare system should be legally mandated to give an annual mental health screening for all. We'd save billions in wasted treatments by catching the underlying cause of most physical health problems...mental health problems which are untreated. I'm including all mental health problems, not just PTSD.
I'm struck by magnitude and helpfulness of the collective wisdom I've glimpsed on this forum.
I think the elders of this amazing PTSD tribe (that would be all of you reading this!), by virtue of your survival, have some of the best (by that, I mean WORST) real-life tales of hair-raising mis-adventures.
Consider this an invitation to share your experiences into the ugliest, most unhealthy, unhelpful, damaging, - and just plain evil - therapy failures out there in the enormous range of our collective PTSD tribal experience.
Perhaps just our bringing forth of these failures (intentional or not) will open eyes. Maybe we will help raise awareness of what to avoid/watch out for. Selfishly, I am hoping to learn how to successfully navigate my way around these should they pop up in my recovery, now that I realize this is going to be a lifelong journey for me.
I'll share this one first;
My Primary Care Physician, (who I'm stuck with) has been treating me for years.
I've paid thousands of dollars for multiple out-of-pocket expenses for 'alternative' treatments for thyroid, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, immuno-suppression, multiple chemical sensitivity, severe adrenal fatigue, mysterious recurring pains, reproductive health issues...and never ONCE did I receive any mental health assessment nor any referral to a qualified mental health professional. Just tests, tests, and more tests, pills, and discounting anything other than just symptoms as related to physical illnesses treatable by medication. ;)
I told my PCP that my T. had diagnosed me with PTSD (months ago! They never seem to have the time to update their communication unless I ask...then it's usually wrong in my chart until I keep asking them to update correctly) and my PCP's response? "Your symptoms are all probably from elevated lead and mercury levels" and she handed me yet two more expensive 'tests' to do at home and mail in - so I can then go through expensive out-of-pocket 'treatment' that she dispenses out of her office. Thanks, but no.
Hmmmm....yes, my levels are 'elevated' but not 'high.' I grew up in the US where I had two chain-smoking parents who drove cars with leaded gas, and painted our house with lead paint. Our air is filthy from unregulated coal fired power plants with tons of toxic mercury in our air. NONE of waterways in my state have fish that have 'safe levels of mercury for pregnant women.' Of COURSE the values are 'elevated!' - but if my symptoms are that, why don't more people with elevated levels have this cluster of PTSD symptoms?
How I *wish* I had an idea that the multiple traumas in my life could be causing my bizarre array of symptoms. Live and learn (and pay out thousands of dollars, apparently)...
I believe our healthcare system should be legally mandated to give an annual mental health screening for all. We'd save billions in wasted treatments by catching the underlying cause of most physical health problems...mental health problems which are untreated. I'm including all mental health problems, not just PTSD.
