In my support circles, the debate rages whether the two disorders are related or whether the symptoms overlap so much that they are easily confused. Fact is, there are no physical proofs of either one. I have both, and more, in my own psych portfolio.

In the management of my strictly personal condition, I pay more attention to symptoms than labels. The label is only something to facilitate the conversation. Ya gots to have a name for ^it^ in order to talk about ^it^ in the quest for healing or at least symptom management.

should I make that more clear.......I get that both mental health states were triggered by trauma......but apart from that, how are they similar/connected?

but arfie......by brother and I exhibit such different characteristics

he goes into fantasy world.....I stay here

Every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. ~Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina)

I shared many of my child sex trafficking traumas with 10 siblings. 5 sisters and 5 brothers. The differences in our responses created a veritable psycho smorgasbord.

With a base 10 to my own rendition of that puzzle, I believe I'll just let that mystery be. I'm crazy enough, already.

Hope you find your answers, Crybaby and that the answers provide solutions.

Also.........when he 'got' bipolar he never came back....if he stops the drugs he is in cloud cockoo land....whereas my ptsd is triggered solely as traumatic events happen, do not make me delusional, and diminish in time

arfie.......I have often been responsible for looking after my brother because he is 'ill' and I am not........my condition has never been recognised as valid or important, whereas my brother has been treated with kid gloves

so, whatever answers I find will, I doubt, compensate for the life-long differenciation I have endured between me and my brother

At the risk of sounding experty, that sounds like what my shrinks call, "The Identified Patient Syndrome." The caretaker sibling within that syndrome does often end up with some heavy duty baggage of their own.

Taking off make-believe doctor coat now. . .

For sure, every case is unique, even among siblings. Healing hopes for all. No exceptions.

sorry.....I thank you for answering any-way......It was my fault I didn't make things more clear at the beginning.......I really try to be as transparent as possible.......I don't want to mislead any-one .......even though I have often found this has put me at a disadvantage........and I try to keep things short....perhaps I should write 200 hundred pages about my eating habits.......yes I was anorexic back in the day.......no further comment

why did you turn on me?

I am trying to understand my condition more........I have never been able to afford any single one hour of counselling........well done for accessing 40 yrs of it

? ? ?

I did no know I turned on you.
Please forgive me for not understanding.
Gentlest of healing hopes and continued support.

You are not solely responsible for a little kid anymore so you can pontificate in any way you like at your leisure.......I am bloody struggling

I have never had any medical training and never had any counselling.......this is the first time in a life time of trauma i am trying to understand it all