[Confused213]

would you say it is over diagnosed?
Would you say that PTSD occurrence is actually rising or the definition is just broadening?

Yes? No?

Please tell me why.

I'm trying to get other's opinions on these issues.

Additionally, how would you treat someone who recovered memories of molestation versus someone who knew all along? Would you think of them as having similar or dissimilar experiences?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Confused213

would you say it is over diagnosed?
Would you say that PTSD occurrence is actually rising or the definition is just broadening?

Yes? No?

Please tell me why.

I'm trying to get other's opinions on these issues.

Additionally, how would you treat someone who recovered memories of molestation versus someone who knew all along? Would you think of them as having similar or dissimilar experiences?

I would not be surprised if the corrolation between PTSD and dissociative issues rise.. my reasoning is because the DSM 5 has added a dissociative subset in with the diagnostic criteria for PTSD, which means dissociative amnesia and other dissociative symptoms are going to be looked at when a treatment provider is evaluating whether they needs to specify ....with dissociative issues or not when diagnosing PTSD now.

is dissociative amnesia over diagnosed...my opinion no why because its only been the last maybe 10 years or so that american treatment providers understood what dissociation is and how it can affect people. before it was a recognized disorder they couldnt very well diagnose it could that. sure it could get misdiagnosed as other things but before the DSM IV TR there was no standards for diagnosing it. since the DSM has recognized the disorder of course there was a rise in diagnosing it. and sure theres probably people some where who dont really have it but have read about it and "showed" "presented" to their treatment providers as being dissociative amnesia. but that happens with everything else in life too. over all I think american treatment providers are doing great with their diagnosing/labeling dissociative amnesia.

[montanan4ever]

Why are you asking these questions?

[Confused213]

Originally Posted by montanan4ever

Why are you asking these questions?

Right now, it's applicable to me. I'm trying to figure out how it would affect me. The difference between the two possibilities is huge...

[montanan4ever]

Well....After I asked that question, I looked at your posting history and saw that you are very young and trying to give voice to what you remember and feel. ("very young" = something you might dispute, but count your years and the lifespan, okay?)

I realize that in your world, this can seem pretty darned concrete. I am not disputing or arguing this. I asked the question looking for information.

When I looked at your history on this site, I realized that you are suspended in that awful, scary LaLaLand of "is it REAL?" Okay, I get it.

You are having memories and questions, some of which, hard to swallow, are NORMAL for your age.....but tainted by what I will call "ick." That "ick" thing is hard to define, because it is oh, so personal. Nobody can define the "ick" boundary for YOU.

I have a specific memory of a thing that happened when I was (being deliberately cloudy here) a certain preteen-but-developed age. The memory would lead me, the adult woman, to use certain terms to describe the experience. BUT if I stick with what I really remember at that much younger age, I don't fill in the blanks and describe something more ambiguous.....but no less traumatic.

THAT is the difference in memory, experience, insight and understanding that leads me to ask you about why you are using specific terms and boundaries to try to block us in to one word answers.

[Confused213]

Originally Posted by montanan4ever

Well....After I asked that question, I looked at your posting history and saw that you are very young and trying to give voice to what you remember and feel. ("very young" = something you might dispute, but count your years and the lifespan, okay?)

I realize that in your world, this can seem pretty darned concrete. I am not disputing or arguing this. I asked the question looking for information.

When I looked at your history on this site, I realized that you are suspended in that awful, scary LaLaLand of "is it REAL?" Okay, I get it.

You are having memories and questions, some of which, hard to swallow, are NORMAL for your age.....but tainted by what I will call "ick." That "ick" thing is hard to define, because it is oh, so personal. Nobody can define the "ick" boundary for YOU.

I have a specific memory of a thing that happened when I was (being deliberately cloudy here) a certain preteen-but-developed age. The memory would lead me, the adult woman, to use certain terms to describe the experience. BUT if I stick with what I really remember at that much younger age, I don't fill in the blanks and describe something more ambiguous.....but no less traumatic.

THAT is the difference in memory, experience, insight and understanding that leads me to ask you about why you are using specific terms and boundaries to try to block us in to one word answers.

I'm sorry, thanks.
I wish i could make this easy for you and say i understand what you are saying, and I know you are being vague on purpose, but i didn't quite catch what you were saying, if that makes sense. I'm sorry, I'm bad at understanding if people aren't very direct. But I really do appreciate what you said (i think), i just didn't quite get it. I feel stupid.
Sorry and thanks

[(JD)]

IMO it doesn't matter when someone thinks they have remembered all along and someone who is just now approaching the possibility, the therapy of self care and slow approach is the same.

From what I gather from your questioning is that you feel unsure that what you are experiencing, or being told you are dealing with, is real or not. Whether PTSD is overdiagnosed or not shouldn't matter to an individual who is experiencing issues that fit with it.

There is dissociative amnesia. It varies from disorder to disorder and from patient to patient---there is no set requirement to achieve or not reach. Part of healing though is when a person doesn't dissociate and is able to handle what life hands them. Each person begins that part of their journey from a different spot...some may already know of trauma that occurred, some may only feel like something is wrong...etc.

Don't fear. If you suffer from any of this, there is therapy and treatment for you. If you get into this treatment and find out it's not this, then you are only wiser and have done no harm to yourself. Let it be okay with you.

[tinyrabbit]

I have this. I'm not really sure about diagnoses etc. But I want to make a point about this:

how would you treat someone who recovered memories of molestation versus someone who knew all along? Would you think of them as having similar or dissimilar experiences?

People with genuine recovered memories also knew all along. Just not consciously. When the memories come back, or you put the pieces together, it can be like suddenly noticing background music is playing (I borrowed this from another poster but can't remember who, sorry). There will probably be signs that your body and your unconscious mind knew. You just didn't consciously think of it.

Anyway, regardless of what you do or don't remember, I would expect a T to treat things exactly the same - to repair the damage and help you heal. It's about what you individually need.