[Khione]

Hi, I'm not diagnosed with PTSD - or anything for that matter. However, I fit the symptoms (including the past traumatic event, obviously) and relate to the symptoms/effects that a lot of people have talked about.

I'd like to bring it up with my therapist (Clinical Nurse with the NHS Adolescents Mental Health Service) but I'm not sure how. She sent me to a psychiatrist for an assessment for depression in February but the psychiatrist told me I was fine and not depressed, which I understand since I showed none of the symptoms (well, a couple but not enough to be depressed). So I was thinking, I could ask my therapist to send me to a psychiatrist for an assessment for PTSD. But I don't know how to word it, or get this across to her.

I've only been seeing her for about 7 months - on and off and I have been avoiding her appointments for the last 2 or 3 months now. So I have the awkward explaining of that to do and then I don't want to seem as though I'm doing her job or self-diagnosing. I panic at things like this - I'm not good at talking to people or getting across my emotions at all. Which is bad since the time when I last spoke to her, I pretty much told her everything was fine and tried to get out of there as fast as possible. But, I am determined not to do that now and so, with my boyfriend supporting me this time, I'll hopefully be able to go in and talk.

Like I said, I panic at little things. I know the different ways to get it accross to her - write it down, saying it bluntly and out-right, etc. But I wouldn't know HOW to do either of those, I wouldn't know what to write down or what to say bluntly and then even if I did know, I'd constantly worry about her reaction to either or what she'd say or tiny things like her facial expression. I over-analyse, over-react and am over-sensitive, so things like this bug me for days. My appointment with her is on the 6th May. So I have a week and a bit of stress and worry before I actually see her.

Any avice is much appreciated!

- I'm not here asking if I have PTSD, that is up to the psychiatrist and my therapist to decide, all I am asking is how to get it across to my therapist that I think I could have PTSD and I fit/relate to a good chunk of the symptoms.

I also studied psychology at A-Level and so I know about the DSM V and the criteria for PTSD, which I have looked at and I fit the criteria and show enough of the symptoms to be diagnosed - this isn't me self-diagnosing, I was curious and I went over it with my boyfriend and he agrees with me. Which is what sparked my desire to talk to my therapist about it.

I wont bring the DSM V up at all, since I don't want to make it look like I'm trying to do her job, because like I said, I'm not, and I'm not self-diagnosing either. I am going to get the psychiatrist's opinion and wait and see before I start saying anything else about PTSD.

[Open Eyes]

Well, I think you should be clear about the trauma, and be clear about your symptoms.

It is not unusual for a therapist or even a psychiatrist to miss it. Some even try not to jump to the conclusion of PTSD and feel it is over diagnosed.

Do you keep ruminating about the trauma, have bad dreams or flashbacks?

Welcome to the forum, Can you print out what you have written here and give it your therapist? I know most therapists don't like to give out diagnoses.

[doglover1979]

Does your therapist know about your trauma? It may seem like I am asking the obvious, but some people don't tell a therapist for a while because it is too painful and scary to talk about.

If so, I would probably just say "I wonder sometimes if I have PTSD. What do you think?"

An additional trip to a psychiatrist probably isn't necessary unless you need medication for symptoms like depression or anxiety.