Sufferer Or Shirker?

[lostforgottensoul]

Yes but that's not what this site is about.

It is a PTSD site but do remember PTSD is commonly with comorbility (multiple mental illness) that can come along and there has been support here of those other mental illnesses. DID is another I see a lot here along with BPD.

The "that's life" may not be "just life" and each person is different. Not all that has gone through criteria A trauma develops PTSD and not all people that's had "that's life" issues can recovery without therapy or counseling of some sort. It all depends on the person.

Im not trying to argue but advise.

 

[Gs172003]

It is a PTSD site but do remember PTSD is commonly with comorbility (multiple mental illness)...

True. But I'm going with the original post.
Alot of people, particularly on the internet, like to play around with the word "trigger" etc like it's a game. I see what the OP is saying I guess ( I'm not the best at explaining myself)

 

[Iwantout]

Do you know that he doesn't have other trauma in his life predating the incident with the car?

I know him and his family well and believe me, if there was a trauma in his life, he would have told everyone because that's the type of person he is... My main point in my post was that I'm concerned that PTSD is becoming a bit too popular... It seems I haven't explained myself properly.. Put it down to brain damage.

 

[Iwantout]

Yes but that's not what this site is about. The other types are vast. And when I say suffering in t...

I think I get what you're saying... Some things people go through like break ups, a bad fight, bullying at school, some accidents etc cause suffering but we usually tend to manage these problems, sometimes with help like counselling to overcome low esteem caused by bullying, help with phobias or fears caused by negative exposure in the past etc....
Other things like vicious attacks, war, childhood abuse or natural disasters tend to cause more severe trauma so need more help to cope with,... sorry, not very good at using the proper words... But I do understand what you are saying and if a computer could translate my thinking I would be able to reply correctly..

 

[Gs172003]

I think I get what you're saying... Some things people go through like break ups, a bad fight, bullying...

Yes..pretty much

 

[lostforgottensoul]

When my dad was pretending to have PTSD, it sent me spinning and I had created a thread about people wanting to have PTSD (wear it as a merit badge), like someone tripped and came back up with PTSD. Not those that had PTSD wanting to wear it as a merit badge, those that claimed a small stressor caused PTSD, that's what I call wanting to wear it as a merit badge...huge miss understanding in the thread.

But, It was really upsetting at the time.

As time went on, I realized that other's actions cant be controled by me and I cant stop someone from faking PTSD or for self diagnosing (though I educate when I can that self diagnosing anything isnt good), or from simply claiming they have PTSD without criteria a trauma.

Should it not be happening, no it shouldnt be. Just like there shouldnt be a huge stigma on mental health, and PTSD diagnosis of child abuse and other trauma and not just combat vets should be more well known. But i dont control any of that. I can educate and thats it.

So no, people should not be claiming they have PTSD after any stressor nor should a stressor be called a trigger and so forth. But does it effect me today? No.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

@Tawny. This is a concern with PTSD. Anyone can research it online and *develop* the symptoms. As I'm on disability, I'm terrified that someone is going to get caught screwing the system and cause problems for those of us who really are suffering.

I just wanted to add that I'm sorry you've had to suffer through so much abuse.

 

[Iwantout]

@Tawny. This is a concern with PTSD. Anyone can research it online and *develop...

Thank you, thank you!! Phew, I should have got you to write the original OP because that is my fear.. Why do people think it's harder for FMS sufferers to be taken seriously now? Because shirkers researched and acquired the symptoms and now even medical professionals have changed their thinking.. And yes, too many of these system milkers are making it worse for real sufferers. In the UK, the incapacity benefit has been taken away, ATOS and now MAXIMUS(?) assesments are harsher. Money has been dropped for many truly ill people, cars taken away... Many disabled are homeless.. All because government said there are too many people on disability and must be lying.. Trouble is, they're right..
And how long before PTSD is found to be over diagnosed and sufferers disbelieved?

Also, thank you for reading all my post.. Yes, there has been a lot but I'm still here and have managed many years without my diagnosis.. It doesn't stop me feeling a bit annoyed at those who do 'trip and come back up with PTSD' as @lostforgottensoul described it... I know I can't control it but it does effect us in the long run...

 

[Gs172003]

Some of it is not so much people faking it as it's more recognized in more groups than it used to be

 

[katurian]

I "self diagnosed" my PTSD before I had it "verified" by a professional. If a professional had never diagnosed me I'd still have PTSD. The diagnosis doesn't give you PTSD, it's already there. I think it's ridiculous in a lot of cases to make people have validity bestowed upon them by professionals.

 

[Iwantout]

I "self diagnosed" my PTSD before I had it "verified" by a professional. If a professional had never d...

My OP is not an argument about whether we should be diagnosed... I had it for 47 years but had never heard of it beyond military personnel... So didn't even self diagnose... The OP is about people shirking it and other illnesses making it harder for real sufferers..

 

[katurian]

My OP is not an argument about whether we should be diagnosed... I had it for 47 years but had never hear...

I think you tread dangerous territory with this kind of thinking. Just my opinion. Where do you make the cut? Where does "real" sufferer turn into "fake" sufferer. Do you think you have the right to decide that for other people? What trauma is legitimate to you? What counts as trauma? Who are you to decide that for other people? What if I said I thought your trauma wasn't bad enough to be considered real or to have resulted in PTSD, because I've heard of people who've had it worse?

You contribute to an atmosphere of suspicion and dismissiveness. I've needed to use a wheelchair. I can walk. I've stood up from it. I can feel people judging me as that happens. I just pray that don't make comments or ask me to prove I'm disabled or worse, hurt me.