Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Support Group

I would get a second or even a third opinion on that diagnosis. In the meantime, I am so sorry for what you went through and what you are going through. As they say one day at a time. It really helps if you don't worry about tommorow because it doesn't change anything.

Let us know how you are doing with your quacks, I mean Doc's.

Oh yeah...my father is a diagnosed bipolar and it was almost an automatic diagnosis when I started to fall apart! I looked back at my medical records (I'm an RN in the hospital where my "incident" took place) and could see a steady progression to my PTSD. Even though I could see it clearly... my provider (at the time) could not. I chose to fire her and start seeing a very wonderful understanding walking encyclopedia :) When you have to tell and re-tell your story, it's supposed to be easier...but that's not always the case, so in your search for a trustworthy provider and therapist (you should have one of those too) be sure they even believe in PTSD. My provider is the head of the behavioral health unit in the town where I work. It's comforting to know that when I call myself crazy, he is the one to tell me to knock it off!
Keep your head held high, believe in yourself and what your body/mind is telling you!
Contact me anytime if you need to chat a bit!
Toshigirl

I got an immediate diagnosis when I went to A psychiatrist the first and ONLY time. Our meeting lasted 30-45ish minutes I believe.

I walked out with 2 diagnosis. BPD(which I was already claiming 9 months before even being diagnosed with it) and CPTSD, which I never even considered. I have an idea of at least ONE other diagnosis...maybe even 2...that the doctor didn't think of. But then again, at that time...I was so scatter brained(and determined, at the same time) that I missed a bunch of things while talking to her. But, I decided that I was going to be 100% honest with the pdoc...well that ALMOST worked completely. Minus the scattered brainness.

But they do say that a second opinion, or even third opinions are also good. Just as wolfandlamb mentioned.

lol Tosh you're funny.

Hi David,

From what I've seen here on Daily Strength, a lot of folks with PTSD have been diagnosed as BP. While some may be, I think the similarity of symptoms, combined with BP being a more *in vogue* diagnosis for the last ten or more years, has resulted in a lot of docs simply grabbing the first diagnosis that seems to fit.

In my opinion, that has resulted in a lot of wrongly-medicated in incorrectly treated patients, and in some cases does a lot more harm than good. People who have tried all the BP treatments without relief start to get depressed - then are medicated more for that - while no one really addresses their actual issue.

Oh boy, you got me started.

Luckily, PTSD has finally started to become an everyday term in the psych world. Hopefully misdiagnoses will start to fade away. Currently, however, not every doc is well-versed in PTSD. I highly recommend to anyone who thinks they may have PTSD, that they find a therapist who is trained in PTSD treatment. Docs who aren't trained specifically for PTSD can do more harm than good.

I agree with what Toshigirl said - Listen to yourself above all. You know more about you than anyone. This is a great community to learn, share, and heal in. It takes time, and memories don't go away, but you CAN begin to heal.

Hugs,
Wistala

Wistala beat me to it....

It took it's own sweet time before I was diagnosed with PTSD, and then shortly after seeing a specialist (PDoc) it was refined to CPTSD. I ask frequently if I show signs of Bipolar Disorder, as my Mother had that for sure and was finally diagnosed properly with that after almost 20 years of a mis-diagnosis of schizophrenia and being treated for THAT (which as we know now makes BD WORSE). My Mothers mis-diagnosis and BD was largely the cause of my traumas and CPTSD.

I am repeatedly told that I'm not Bipolar or showing symptoms, to my great relief (nope, not hypochondriacally inclined, but BD does run in families but typically will skip generations and it scares me because in my family it has not skipped... my maternal grandmother had it, my Mom and one of her sisters had it, and one of my Brothers has it.

Get yourself to a good specialist David, and get a good diagnosis and have them explain WHY they diagnose you the way they do. It's YOUR health and DOCTORS and THERAPISTS are YOUR EMPLOYEES. YOU ARE PAYING THEM for their expertise... and have the RIGHT to demand they do their job CORRECTLY. If not, FIRE THEIR ASSES.

Hang in there and welcome to the group.
D.

Clarification:

"... and then shortly after seeing a specialist (PDoc) it was refined to CPTSD."

the parenthetical should have been "...specialist (in PTSD and also was a PDoc)..."