Having been diagnosed with multiple things over many years....I've quit even caring what any provider wants to call what is going on with me. Especially when one doc will argue against what another doc diagnosed. For myself - when listening to a provider say I have this, or that, I ask myself - does this diagnosis really explain what I am going thru? Does it capture everything, or is it just a "part" of something larger? And the even bigger question is - will the treatment proposed address what I feel needs help? I've known for about 20 years I have CPTSD (which isn't even a "thing" in America, yet, but will probably be included in the next update of diagnoses) - but wasn't diagnosed with PTSD until last month...despite multiple psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and counselors. So, my thoughts in regards to you - if you suspect you have PTSD, learn about it. Which it sounds like you are all ready doing. If what you learn seems to resonate with you, and makes sense to you, find a doc / therapist / counselor you can talk to...and bring up the conversation with them. Learning about PTSD on your own might give you the words to better be able to describe what you are experiencing, to that provider. A good provider will help you explore the possibility of whether or not you have PTSD, and WHY they think you do or don't. I truly think a large part of my "partial diagnoses" for so many years was due to my inability to clearly communicate what was going on with me. I'd seek help for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, at different times; whatever was bothering me most at that particular time. It took both me connecting some dots, and a good therapist also connecting some dots, to reach the point of being able to say - ok - there's something bigger going on here, that is behind all that depression, etc. So, be your own advocate. Explore the possibilities. Then discuss with a provider.
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Diagnosed:
Prolonged PTSD (civilian)
BPD
Dissociation
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