[doodle34]

Okay, I'm new around here and just have a PTSD-related question. Bear with me!

About 12 years ago some very bad stuff happened that took two years. After it was over, I had a lot of experiences and difficulties, all of which I thought were my own failings and weaknesses. I gave therapy a shot but had no luck.

A year or two ago for a completely unrelated reason I happened to be looking through a list of PTSD symptoms and, as one does, recognized that I'd experienced 15 of the 17 on the list. The two I was missing were using drugs or alcohol to treat the experiences (I lived with them without anything to put in the way) and I think flashbacks. At least, I've never experienced anything immersive (that I'm aware of) so I'm discounting it.

I've never been diagnosed with anything, ever (even for stuff like self-harming behaviors, though I've had those in the past, and a bunch of other stuff that goes before this experience).

My question for those of you who have diagnoses, or know people who are, is: does it count as anything like PTSD if I have, or have had, 15 of the 17 symptoms, and if it does, what do I do with that information?

For that matter, if it *doesn't*, but I still have/had them, what do I do about it? (Though it's been over ten years so at this point I've mostly accepted it as the new normal. And things are less ridiculous than they were, anyway. I guess I just want some kind of acknowledgment. Sorry.)

[Big Mama]

PTSD symptoms if you have them enough to get 15 out of 17 is pretty much a sure bet. It doesn't require medication always. I don't take meds for mine. Therepy (Trauma therepy) is helpfull if the symptoms bother you. If they do not bother you or anyone close to you (spouse,kids) then the symptoms can be left alone until they do cause issues, if they ever cause issues. My issues started causing problems 20+ years later. I am not reminded of the event often but I think it might be partially to blame for some things in my life that with some work could possibly be delt w/ better. I hope this helps. Do what is best for you. If it is severe then meds or T for sure. If the impact is minimal maybe explore your options.

I think it's healthy to be curious, however it's extremely unhealthy to self diagnosed based on a checklist online. It took me about 6 months to deal with my diagnosis, mostly because I was going through a rough patch with my trauma and also because I was in denial of such (4 years later I kind of still despise my PTSD). At least to me was extremely difficult to admit and identify these things.

The best thing to do would be to submit yourself to evaluation. Worst case scenario you do have such diagnosis and from there you evaluate how it affects your everyday life, if it does at all.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by doodle34

Okay, I'm new around here and just have a PTSD-related question. Bear with me!

About 12 years ago some very bad stuff happened that took two years. After it was over, I had a lot of experiences and difficulties, all of which I thought were my own failings and weaknesses. I gave therapy a shot but had no luck.

A year or two ago for a completely unrelated reason I happened to be looking through a list of PTSD symptoms and, as one does, recognized that I'd experienced 15 of the 17 on the list. The two I was missing were using drugs or alcohol to treat the experiences (I lived with them without anything to put in the way) and I think flashbacks. At least, I've never experienced anything immersive (that I'm aware of) so I'm discounting it.

I've never been diagnosed with anything, ever (even for stuff like self-harming behaviors, though I've had those in the past, and a bunch of other stuff that goes before this experience).

My question for those of you who have diagnoses, or know people who are, is: does it count as anything like PTSD if I have, or have had, 15 of the 17 symptoms, and if it does, what do I do with that information?

For that matter, if it *doesn't*, but I still have/had them, what do I do about it? (Though it's been over ten years so at this point I've mostly accepted it as the new normal. And things are less ridiculous than they were, anyway. I guess I just want some kind of acknowledgment. Sorry.)

what is considered to be PTSD and how many of those PTSD symptoms you need to have in order to be diagnosed with PTSD varies according to a persons own location, state, city, cultural background (yes there are some cultures that have different standards for what is PTSD and what isnt, my indian background for example doesnt believe having nightmares over an event is a PTSD symptoms, my indian background calls it visions, and vision quests, working out an issue when you dream about trama's, where as the mental health community where I live and work believe nightmares such as this is considered a PTSD symptom)

my point is we cant tell you if you have PTSD just because you read somewhere a list and you feel you meet so many of the symptoms.

only a treatment provider ie medical doctor, therapist or psychiatrist in your off line location can make this diagnosis for you. not to mention psych central rules prevent us form diagnosing each others problems.

my suggestion contact your treatment providers. they can tell you whether you have PTSD or not.