when medics just don't 'get' PTSD/Complex PTSD

[Eleison]

I have Complex PTSD as a result of multiple, long term traumas and abuse in my childhood. I also have long term depression which is part of this. I am in long term treatment and recovery.

However it's happened twice now with medics who don't know me, to query, after hearing very little of my history, whether I'm bipolar. They just see how anti-depressants don't 'fix' me completely, and make that assumption.

Now. I've been diagnosed by a psychiatrist, see my GP regularly, and am in long term psychotherapy - the Complex PTSD is the psychotherapeutic diagnosis, the depression the medical one. [medics don't recognise complex PTSD here.]

Now, I'm changeable, I grant that - well, with a couple of alternate personalities - a child and an internal abuser-protector, who wouldn't be! And no, I don't have DID.
I get irritable, true. Living in a constant state of hyper-vigilance when out in public ['seeing' bullies everywhere] is no joke.
Yes, I have anger outbursts. It's a defence mechanism, it's projection stuff. I'm working on it. It's hard.

Anyway, my main question here is -

Is it common for medics to see Complex PTSD/PTSD through bipolar tinted eyes, as it were?

[Worn_Out]

I also have Complex PTSD as a result of multiple, long term traumas and abuse, etc. in my childhood. However I do not suffer from depression and if anything I suffer from anxiety (hyper vigilance) ... waiting for the next trauma to happen but.  In a life filled with violent traumas it is rather hard not to be watching for the 'next shoe to drop' / 'one around the corner' when my anxiety levels are up ... so I can relate to what you say.  On the whole I don't let most things bother me and I deal with a lot with having so many in my family with mental illness (borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, pyschotic behaviour, depression, etc. etc.)

To maintain my own self I went to some psychiatrists in the past however where I have moved to now we only have abuse counsellors but it is enough.  I have found my own inner peace and am able to maintain it in the face of all this stress however if I begin to wear out I pull back and stop anyone from getting too close in order to maintain it.  Self protection and knowing what triggers you are two great assets.

I have never had a doctor ask me if I have been diagnosed with bipolar ... in fact many here are quite aware of PTSD ... also I am quick to let them know that I have PTSD if they start searching for answers.

I have had to move around a fair bit because I rent however when a doctor doesn't listen to me I try educating them as to my illness however if the doctor doesn't seem to listen then I simply find myself one who will.  I will not put my health care in the hands of someone who will not listen to his patient.  Who knows better about what is going on with me?  I have been very lucky ... I have had some excellent doctors over the years.  I have been fortunate in that I usually can maintain the same doctor for many years before moving too far away from them and having to switch due to the distances involved.  When looking for a new doctor they have to meet my criteria before I will accept them ... not the other way around.

Hope this helps.

[allie3656]

hello. i'm new to this forum and have been diagnosed bipolar, then anxiety with depression, and now with PTSD. all of those diagnosis have been by different pdocs. i agree that they are looking through bipolar tinted eyes.  i have problems with antidepressants too. i get very anxious when starting any meds, whether it's asprin or an antidepressant. i have severe anxiety!!! but this new pdoc said that i have PTSD and put me on paxil to see what will happen. what happens when you are on AD's?