[wolfie205]

I was seeing a therapist for PTSD from childhood trauma but sometimes I wonder if I really have PTSD because my symptoms aren't that severe. I haven't processed my trauma but I am pretty stable right now and my symptoms don't bother me much. I am seeing a new therapist and I have told them that I have anxiety but I didn't tell them about the PTSD because I didn't want to talk about it with a total stranger. I feel like I have PTSD symptoms but I don't know if my symptoms are severe enough for a clinical diagnosis. I don't know whether to tell the new therapist and her team about the PTSD because I don't know if they'll even believe me and I don't want to talk about what happened. What should I do?

[winter4me]

I think you know the answer. Of course you are reluctant to discuss this with someone new---you probably don't know if you can trust them yet. And, I would hope they would be professional enough to know that they are just getting to know you. At some point, do tell. It took me a long time to accept my diagnosis...it is hard to see yourself, like a fish looking at water. If you feel okay about it, maybe you could give them the ok to talk with your previous t. Good luck!!!

[catsrhelm]

You have to remember the Trama in PTSD. Trama can take on many forms. It can be a one time thing, or it can be a pattern of disfunction. I would say be honest with the therapist about whatever trama it was that you faced.

[Open Eyes]

((wolfie)),

The reason why you go to a therapist, especially if you experienced childhood trauma is not about PTSD, but learning about the coping mechanisms you developed that you may not be aware of, coping mechanisms that may not be healthy for you, might even cause you to have low self esteem and fall into being abused again in some way. A lot of children that suffered abuse/trauma can develop a victim mentality that they are not aware of as an adult. If you discuss your past with a T, you can learn about how you dealt with all that in ways that you need to actually finally see and learn healthier ways to deal with challenges. The "anxiety" you are talking about is coming from something, if you find out what that is, learn how to fix it, you can actually learn how to avoid suffering from anxiety, that can get worse as you go through your life.

[Hellion]

Yes sometimes I do wonder for two main reasons. One is sometimes I mostly feel numb and don't really experience any of the more bothersome symptoms like panic attacks, anxiety or intrusive memories...but other times its difficult not to get triggered multiple times a day.

Other then that there is debate as to whether i have an actual diagnoses, I had a therapist that thought I for sure had it and the neuropsychologist I saw seemed to think so to...but apparently on my records it indicates my GAD overrules the PTSD which doesn't make sense as you can have both.

But yes I wonder quite a bit, but I can't deny the symptoms are there. The numbness is also probably a symptom, but that could be part of the other disorders I have to.