News Ptsd Will Cease Being An Anxiety Disorder - Dsm 5

[Innordinate]

I think it never matters what they call anything. Like ADD switching to ADHD and MPD becoming DID... same s^%t different pile.
Some people like having 8 different things to walk around bragging about, some people don't care.

Maybe the more diagnosis some people have in whatever country they're in, maybe it'll get them better (ha forget the word) money so they don't have to work or stress about certain things.

Disability pay!
If it does that for people I'm all for it. If it doesn't ..bleh.

 

[anthony]

Antthony, do you think fear (anxiety) is the root? I know after the fact there is much, but it seems the impact of the trauma(s) that contributed to be the real problem.

I wonder that myself some days... I wouldn't say they got it wrong by being a primarily anxiety based illness, because that seems to be the primary reaction, but as you are eluding towards... trauma itself is the primary issue, anxiety is more a symptom IMO, and some days I wonder whether anxiety or depression are the main ingredient, if not both, yet depression has never been a symptom and always diagnosed comorbid.

Interesting pathways they are choosing with the DSM 5... I guess we all continue to learn and grow.

 

[anthony]

Looking closely at PTSD now, any type of comorbid anxiety diagnosis has always been laughed at because PTSD is an anxiety disorder itself, even though no symptoms actually really elude towards anxiety compared with the symptoms of say... GAD: depression is part of PTSD

Thinking about the new anxiety base of disorders, with PTSD shifted away as a trauma diagnosis now... realistically one could expect to even see PTSD + (in bold)

E 00 Separation Anxiety Disorder
E 01 Panic Disorder
E 02 Agoraphobia
E 03 Specific Phobia
E 04 Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
E 05 Generalized Anxiety Disorder
E 06-11 Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder
E 12 Anxiety Disorder Associated with a Known General Medical Condition
E 13 Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
E 14 Unspecified Anxiety Disorder

As it was already an anxiety disorder, and covers in line point social isolation & agoraphobia, those disorders just wouldn't be given... but now... I don't believe under the new DSM 5 system it would be incorrect.

 

[ronin47]

Oh great, now I have to think of a phrase besides "anxiety disorder" when I want to tell people I have mental health problems without going into detail.

 

[Brontie]

It is confusing. Thinking about my own illness/disorder over the years, it seems to have evolved from childhood trauma which caused serious dissociation, then the realisation brought on the post traumatic stress, this in turn caused acute depression and anxiety. I could be wrong, I’m no expert and I can only speak of my own experience, but I have been dealing with it a long time.

I expect the definition is being changed in order to explain more clearly what soldiers are dealing with.

 

[Tinyflame]

I wonder that myself some days... I wouldn't say they got it wrong by being a primarily anxiety based illness, because that seems to be the primary reaction, but as you are eluding towards... trauma itself is the primary issue, anxiety is more a symptom IMO, and some days I wonder whether anxiety or depression are the main ingredient, if not both, yet depression has never been a symptom and always diagnosed comorbid.

Anthony, me too, that's how it feels to me. It was only when you posted this that it occurred to me.

I can only say as regards myself, the 'anxiety' part (originally) I would better describe as 'terror', and that feeling or perception of terror originating from the trauma(s). And yes, a feeling of depression being far more readily present- although even 'depression' as a defining term seems not 100% 'correct', I wonder if it's physiological changes (and) unprocessed trauma? Because even depression that accompanies the present moment seems to correlate back to past trauma most of the time.
I wonder sometimes if the 'depression' is the effects of stress on the mind and body?

Please forgive me if this is not the best description- am a bit 'fuzzy' at the moment- but what I mean to say is I think that you have always recommended tackling the trauma issues, understanding and accepting ptsd (getting rid of the denial, understanding the stress-cup analogy, 'pushing' ourselves in the way of 're-living' aspects of the trauma but coming out with a different ending/ feelings/ cognition about it, and proper self-care etc), and after 28 years these last 3 years (of me trying to apply that) has been most effective. Lots of :eek:!!! moments but more healing- some things have been put to rest and don't re-surface. Thank you.

Also, I can only say for myself but when I 'shut down' it's not because I'm afraid to leave my house or afraid of social interaction as much as being overwhelmed with stress, unable to communicate, feeling depressed and discouraged I am not managing the symptoms well, physiological symptoms present and feeling ill, and unable to 'produce' or 'face' what I expect to be the current expectations of me or demands- I'm not sure that's from anxiety or causes anxiety.

So in a way I relate to it being called a "stress/ stressor-based disorder" than an Anxiety Disorder.

 

[Brontie]

Not to undermine their new definition but I think it’s quite important to figure out what came from what. What came first? We all have a different story to tell. In my case, it was childhood abuse which caused serious dissociation. And I believe, and psych-doc thinks so too, it was the realisation of it all in my twenties that caused the PTS, which in turn caused depression and anxiety.

Psych-docs go on about getting to the bottom of it all. I never really understood this. I’m sure most of us know what caused our trauma. It’s the result of the trauma that we need help with; the PTS, the depression, the anxiety and the rest.

 

[Tinyflame]

Yes, dealing with the trauma or facing it. The fall out and loss of any feeling of safety, security, identity, worth.

 

[becvan]

Thinking about the new anxiety base of disorders, with PTSD shifted away as a trauma diagnosis now... realistically one could expect to even see PTSD + (in bold)

E 00 Separation Anxiety Disorder
E 01 Panic Disorder
E 02 Agoraphobia
E 03 Specific Phobia
E 04 Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia)
E 05 Generalized Anxiety Disorder
E 06-11 Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder
E 12 Anxiety Disorder Associated with a Known General Medical Condition
E 13 Other Specified Anxiety Disorder
E 14 Unspecified Anxiety Disorder

This is what my official diagnosis looks like now. It lists PTSD first, then panic disorder, agoraphobia, Social anxiety disorder, DDNOS and a few others. What is being considered is how it is already done in Canada. It would make no difference on my chart. LOL

bec

 

[anthony]

you have always recommended tackling the trauma issues, understanding and accepting ptsd (getting rid of the denial, understanding the stress-cup analogy, 'pushing' ourselves in the way of 're-living' aspects of the trauma but coming out with a different ending/ feelings/ cognition about it, and proper self-care etc)

Yes, its the way in which to tackle PTSD for the better longevity results. The handful of experts on PTSD seem to think that way!

As a studying counsellor now, I can already see where they get all screwed up. The teachings are all aligned with everything but trauma therapy. They cover CBT, exposure, person centered, gestalt, blah blah blah... but they don't really cover trauma and how the experts do it. What is taught is to be empathetic, listen, advise as required, agree with the client... don't let them travel into the past if possible, and the long list of default psychological training goes on and is all wrong for PTSD. It is all right for the majority of therapy, being relationships, daily issues, immediate trauma, grief, etc etc.... everything except abnormal prolonged trauma.

I really understand a whole new angle now... therapists are drilled to be agreeing, empathetic monkeys to clients, even though they will have vastly different opinions themselves. I can understand how it would be hard for a therapist to switch from one type to another based on the trauma, because I believe it is more a choice, you are one or the other...

Having PTSD though gives me a slightly unique perspective to the majority of therapists. PTSD cannot be aptly described compared to what is felt. I have never read an exact description of PTSD or complex trauma... even we who suffer it cannot fully describe it. We may give it justice in one area or another, but I have never really read a succinct description that summates PTSD against what is felt.

 

[Tinyflame]

Oh Anthony, that is so true! As regards therapists/ therapy, and explaining how this feels. It has always felt to me, like how do you crack the code? I'm still not entirely sure.

Just like you saying, if you were the Therapist the therapy would/ could be outside the Office, or walking, having a coffee, etc.
Wow, I know what you mean- it's not just a good idea but virtually essential. Maybe we have to 'think' in new ways-literally. Like in images or 'senses' rather than just words.

 

[Brontie]

I think sometimes they (docs) ask too many questions. We struggle to get a handle on things and they continue to ask the same questions again and again. This alone can make us feel crazy and like we are not making sense. How many ways do I have to describe my struggle of just getting from day to day with all this ‘extra mental activity’ going on in my head. Why do they have more questions than answers?