How do I seriously suggest to my doctor that I may have PTSD?

Question

I’ve looked into it and I’ve have many of the symptoms (I've had an eating disorder, can't sleep, scared of just about everything and I panic way too much over anything really).
I've been abused for at least 10 years and it was all kinds of abuse (verbal pyshical ect.). as well as rape and sexual assault.

Perhaps my real problem is that I'm a teen so I'm afraid my Doctor wont take me seriously. My old doctor didn't anyway.
My old doctor laughed when I said I panic all the time.

Answer 1

I understand your concern w/ the fact docs often do not take ppl seriously!
I am nearly 30 and the doc I had did the same to me when I was ill w/ a mystery virus!
I would see another doctor and also better yet a psychologist. You very well might be suffering from a form of PTSD.
The only one who could make that amalysis would be a mental health therapist of psychologist.
That would be the best place to start.
The treatments for PTSD are therapies before drugs. A doc only prescribes meds not equipped to handle anything more.

Here are a few more detailed symptoms and types of PTSD people suffer with-

Symptoms of PTSD are generally of three types:

Intrusive
Dissociative states
Flashbacks
Intrusive emotions and memories
Nightmares and night terrors
Avoidant
Avoiding emotions
Avoiding relationships
Avoiding responsibility for others
Avoiding situations that are reminiscent of the traumatic event
Hyperarousal
Exaggerated startle reaction
Explosive outbursts
Extreme vigilance
Irritability
Panic symptoms
Sleep disturbance

Be aware there are many other conditions that can mimic the same symptoms.
I hope you do more research and get an evaluation with a trusted psychotherapist!

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

I am not sure what PTSD is, but I do know that you have a serious problem and that you have been through a lot. Do your parents know about the abuse? Were they the ones doing it? Just tell doctors until one of them takes you seriously because you need help. Just because one doesnt help you just means that hes wack. But you seriously need help. So find some :-)

Answer 3

Rather than suggesting, and hoping your Dr. will catch-on to your clues, Come right out and ASK "Do you think I might have PTSD?"

When you come to the office, come prepared.
Write your QUESTIONS on a sheet of paper
Also write down all the SYMPTOMS you can identify that don't "feel right" to you
And, especially in the case of someone with your history, write down WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE PROBLEMS.

Ask your Dr. if he knows of someone or some place to refer you for help with your problems. (Counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist) It helps if you can meet with a professional who regularly treats teenagers - (as both medications and thought processes differ from that of adults.) Another source of help might be to go initially to your school counselor - and ask for a referral to receive help.

Answer 4

I think that we can be our own best doctors. You're good for doing a little research on your own and you may be right. Just let your doctor know that you seriously believe that you may be suffering from PTSD. Go from there.

Answer 5

Hi Smile,
PTSD
(Post traumatic stress disorder)


Post traumatic stress disorder comes in many forms, some people think you have to have been to war to have it.
Although the reality is that post traumatic stress disorders are common in all kinds of abuse and sexual abuse, I guess what I'm trying to say is that having PTDS with your history isn’t to far fetch as some may think.
When you have Anxiety your body can go into a heightened alert, meaning your body can experience all kinds of symptoms you described, your body can get super sensitive.
I'm no doctor and I'm no psychologist but I have studied Anxiety and depression for over 4 years now, in search of my own cure. I have acute Anxiety and have found that allot of the symptoms for PTSD and depression are the same. I'm not one to sugar coat things and pull a wole over some ones eyes, I say it like I hear or see it. When you say you panic I can’t but wonder what kind of panic your having. I say that cause when I have a panic attack my hart begins to race and I start to feel all kinds of fillings and a sudden fear comes over me like I'm going to die or something evil is about to happen. In any case I can tell you this from experience that I have encountered.
A lot of people who don’t have Anxiety or depression don’t seem to understand what it is like and how much stress your body can be under. Now if you do have PTSD you might want to ask your self what the worst is that can happen when you’re panicking? It’s been proven that a Panic Attack can’t kill you, but it sure can feel that way believe me I know. I saw a lot of teens and adults with Anxiety or PSTD in the hospitals. It’s been said that Anxiety is more common in women then men; witch makes me feel so much batter about it.
I'm not sure how indebt you have gotten with your doctor, but I can tell you that the best person to talk to about all this would be a psychiatrist as another responder told you. Especially if you have been abused.
Some times Anxiety can be caused bye holding in or suppressing your feelings. Or having PSTD can be from a dramatic experience you have had in your life.
And be it a teen or an adult, you can have PSTD.
Now there are psychiatrist that can help you deal with this problem by teaching you how to use different methods of the way you look at things and how you handle your train of thought, Another way is bye giving you SSRI's such as zoloft, paxil, welbutrain and etc. but those meds are to help with Anxiety and PTSD as well as other problems. PTSD and Anxiety are one and the same to me, when it comes to the symptoms and some times Anxiety can also be a chemical imbalance of serotonin to your brain, the same serotonin that the Sunlight builds in a person's brain.
I don’t want to get to deep into the med thing.
I do think you should ask your parents what they think or if your to afraid to go to your parents seek out a professional psychiatrist and explain the situation to him or her and ask for there medical opinion. And if you do have Anxiety or PTSD try not to let it get the best of you. Dont think to much into it cause it wont help it will just make you worry more.
You can even try to do a in or outpatient program too help you. A lot of people who have this disorder also look for self help books such as "THE ANXIETY AND PHONIA WORKBOOKS” it teach stuff like Relaxation, how exercise works, coping with panic,exposure,overcomeing negative self-talk, changing mistaken beliefs,visualization,self-esteem,nutrition,medication,meditation techniques and over al Anxiety-triggering health conditions.
There are also a lot of internet self help programs out there, but I don’t recommend sitting in front of a pc a way to help Anxiety. Get out and move and remember you’re not alone and there is help out there if you really want it.
I will keep you in my prayers and wish you the best. I hope some of my rambling was some what helpful.
God bless you and TC Hun.
If you would like to talk more about all this just drop me a line, I been keeping a journal on all this for 4 years and counting.

Answer 6

try setting up an appointment with a psychiatrist or therapist. not your doctor doctor.