Need Advice - Think I Have PTSD

[kin]

im almost 100 percent positive that i have ptsd. i have so many of the symptoms, and it seems lately they are getting worse. ive done some researching and am still learning on it, like what i need to do and what all is involved in ptsd.

i woke up this morning thinking today im going to find someone that can help me. someone other than just information in books and stuff like that. because to me that can only do so much. but when i got to reading on the therapist and all the stuff they want you to tell them, on your first visit:eek:, things of why you feel you have it. it makes me just want to cry and i get so scared to go.

i cannot imagine myself talking to one, i always think "what if'. ya know, what if they think im just making things up or what if they dont get me at all, and they plan all of this other stuff. i did that once i went to the family doctor and told him i have suspect that i might have ptsd, and he asked why and i didnt tell him everything. just the latest thing that had really effected me, and he put me on depression meds. but they didnt work, nothing really changed, well maybe my low times, but the nausea was much worse to deal with at that time. and it made the insomia alot worse. so i told him about it and he put me on some sleeping pills, but they made the depression alot worse. so i dropped both of them, because i knew it wasnt going to help and i really felt like a science experiment more than anything. so ive been pretty much battleing it for awhile now, and ive gotting a little better with the things i can control. ive learned to try and not be so snappy and if i do then try and correct myself right afterwards, so i dont get the guilt of doing it for no reason. n e way i could go on and on

i came here because i have just gotting tired lately of trying to do it all by myself, and i here people talk about ways to cope and they sound like it really helps. but what did you have to do to get over the anxiety of making that first step, b/c i cant just jump..........

[cherryblossom]

Hi kin, welcome to the forum
i went to the family doctor and told him i have suspect that i might have ptsd, and he asked why and i didnt tell him everything. just the latest thing that had really effected me, and he put me on depression meds.

I am no expert here, but in my opinion, you need to be completely honest with your Docor, in order to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. How can they possibly treat you correctly, if you don't tell them everything?

In the mean time, there is a lot of good info here on the forum, so have a read around.

[Awakening]

You do not have to tell them everything on your first go. You are in control, its your time, your session. It's probably wise to be cautious, until you've had a few appointments & you are confident that you trust this person and you feel safe.

You don't have to go in saying I think I have PTSD. People go to therapists for all sorts of reasons from my mild unhappiness or goal setting or more severe illnesses.

You may want to approach by saying I'm unhappy with my life, and there are some things in my past that I want to discuss but not at my first session, I'm not ready yet. A good therapist will totally respect that, and go at your pace.

[cherryblossom]

Hi, just to clarify my previous statement - I'm not suggesting that you have to explain every detail of your trauma. Just that something happened in the past, and ALL the symptoms you are currently experiencing as a result of that. That way your family doctor can refer you to the appropriate person (psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist etc)for further treatment and a correct diagnosis. Hope this helps.

[linasmom]

Hi Kin,

You asked "what did you have to do to get over the anxiety of making that first step" - well for me, the issue was a no brainer - I could continue to live in my miserable state where I got no sleep, where I was an emotional wreck, uncontrollable, unpredictable and completely panic ridden, OR I could go and talk to someone who is trained to help someone like me who has PTSD and eventually learn to live a not so stressful life.

Maybe you could make a list - Pros VS Cons. That way, your perception of the situation becomes tangible and more easily controllable. You'll see (at least, I hope!) how much longer the list of Pros is vs Cons. Keep that list in front of you as you call the doctor.

Like Awakening said, you don't have to go into a first visit and tell them everything. In fact, a first session should be an interview - you interviewing a therapist.

Good luck!

Best,
Rachel

[CaliSparrow]

Hi Kin,

I agree with all of the above - very wise words indeed. The very first time I went to a therapist was a big step for me too (probably perfectly normal). My parents had one in mind but let me make the decision in my own time. So when I, like LinasMom, decided I wanted to make a change and was "fed-up" with my current state of being, there was the number by the phone waiting to be refered to to make that all important call.

Therapists are actually trained to let YOU pace the session, so if you feel they are pressuring you to reveal more (especially in the beginning), call the 2nd number on your list. As my husband says, "You're paying them!"

AND too, PTSD seems to be more easily overcome the sooner we get treatment - or so I've read. This is where I am as where since my PTSD was recently retraumitized, and by a therapist to BOOT. So, I feel for you. If you're really scared, take a friend with you, even if they just wait for you outside. As one of your friends here said: YOU are in control which is actually the cornerstone of any good therapy. Good luck! CS

[insomniakat]

If it's the talking that's hard, write down everything and just hand it to her at the beginning of the session. It can be hard to make the list, but at least it's just you and the computer. I did that so I didn't have to actually "talk" about anything.