[Free_at_last]

I've been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and "NOS". I've googled for the definition but can't find much; mainly that NOS is an energy drink -- which I already knew. Not the same thing.

I did find out that it means "Not Otherwise Specified", but that doesn't tell me much.

Aside from it probably meaning "chock full o' nuts", I need your help with a definition.

Thanks in advance,

Terri, xoxo

The NOS is attached to something else, like depression NOS or bipolar disorder NOS. My understand, which could definitely be flawed, is that when the NOS is used, the doctor doesn't find that you meet the exact criteria for that diagnosis but more of a variation of the diagnosis. Someone else is bound to be able to explain it better.

[Free_at_last]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

The NOS is attached to something else, like depression NOS or bipolar disorder NOS. My understand, which could definitely be flawed, is that when the NOS is used, the doctor doesn't find that you meet the exact criteria for that diagnosis but more of a variation of the diagnosis. Someone else is bound to be able to explain it better.

I'll call the psych office tomorrow and leave a note for the T, requesting the exact wording of my diagnosis.

Thanks for your help!

Terri, xoxo

[krisakira]

Mental illnesses often have sub-categories, such as Bipolar I and II. If your therapist or pdoc doesn't think you fit particularly in 1 sub-category, but knows you at least have bipolar or whatever the condition is, they will put "NOS" at the end of it. I have Dissociative Disorder NOS, which means that I dissociate and have some traits of DID, however not enough to get the exact classification down...

edit: however it does not mean the condition is less severe than if there isn't the NOS after it. It means you just don't fit into the textbook definition, and quite honestly a lot of people don't. There are a lot of gray areas. What's important is that you get the help you specifically need.

I've never received a formal diagnosis . . .

[-jimi-]

One big flaw I see with the diagnosis is that it is all based on physical damage, like you have to fear for your life or similar. I think people can actually get PTSD from an excess of mental abuse, like can happen in cults and similar where "only" their souls and minds are threatened...

A guess is that you don't have as many symptoms according to DSM to give you a 100 % diagnosis, but it is still clear you have PTSD.

The new DSM is suggested to ease up on Criterion C, which is avoidance, the current DSM needs a lot of avoidance for a diagnosis where the new one will be less strict.

[eskielover]

"NOS" stands for "Not Otherwise Specified"

When my anorexia didn't fit the exact specifications of anorexia nervosa, they termed it EDNOS......Eating Disorder Not otherwise specified.

When you don't quite fit the pure DX in the DSM for the diagnoses, they get as close as they can get rather than give no DX at all.

Hope you get a clear understanding of what the NOS is attached to, whether the PTSD, the Depression, or ?.

Know it's a struggle.....I went through a trauma while seeing my pdoc & my therapist that left me with PTSD symptoms....but because I was going through the trauma......PTSD wasn't a possible DX.....but it really messed me up.....still does....but don't have all the symptoms of the normal PTSD in some areas.

Went to one T who commented that the loss of my career that lead to my major depression probably had a huge amount of PTSD tied to that also.....even though it wasn't a life threatening event (it sure felt like it)

[Rose76]

I would just like to concur with the others above. NOS means Not Otherwise Specified. I had to learn these diagnoses as a nurse. NOS in never used alone. It is always used to modify a word behind it, as others above have explained.

I think it is a good idea to ask the pdoc to verbalize exactly what he is diagnosing. And show you a written version.