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widestdepth

Updated 10mo ago

Should I Tell My Therapist About My Suspected CPTSD and OCD?

should i tell my therapist i'm pretty sure i have CPTSD and OCD? i keep wondering why i should - because sometimes i think, "what's the use in getting a diagnosis; that'd just be another problem i officially have". but i also feel like it's probably useful to name exactly what may be going on because then we can do the treatments for that... but idk. this is so stressful, like, it feels like i've already got such a long list of problems to fix... any thoughts or advice?

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RachelNaomi

2y

I had a hard time with that as well. My psychiatrist diagnosed me without me having to say so though so that was helpful. I found that it’s been easier to target core issues based off of being diagnosed with CPTSD rather than if I just had an anxiety disorder, because for me the stress and anxiety comes from triggers that are linked to past trauma. I’d say go for it! OCD is also linked to CPTSD and anxiety and stress and can cause anxiety and stress. My doctor has diagnosed me with OCD but has brought it up as a possibility twice now. It could potentially help pinpoint your treatment and help along the path of healing.
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Sydari

2y

I'd say start with relaying all of your symptoms. You want to avoid diagnosis if you can, you already have a sense of what they could be and can go from there. Talking to them about the things that make you question if you have these disorders would be a good start and trust their expertise.
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Deannaistrying

2y

I honestly feel like laying out all your symptoms and experiences should give you more answers than grief- your psychiatrist should be able to understand and I think it would be validating.
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Elise_Laura

2y

Let us know what you choose to do. I am all for you being honest and laying out your assumptions and then listening
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widestdepth

2y

so, i told my therapist that, and why, i think, i have CPTSD and OCD (or at the least some features of OCD), and made sure to mentioned that i know these two diagnoses, as well as the ones i already have (MDD and GAD), share a significant overlap, but that i suspected (C)PTSD was a more accurate one because of my repeated exposure to trauma, and she informed me that she agrees that i qualify for a diagnosis of CPTSD and that she actually already has diagnosed me with PTSD - because CPTSD isn't officially recognized yet, so "PTSD" is the next closest thing that i can be billed for. and when we talked about why i think i have OCD, she said that while I don't qualify for an official diagnosis of OCD in her opinion, it is evident that i do have obsessive & compulsive symptoms, which are often seen with the level of anxiety that i have. so all in all she basically said i was right to suspect that my diagnosis needed to be updated lol, and im really glad i shared this with her, because honestly i felt a sort of wave of relief when she said she believes I do have PTSD, because for 11 years and counting the narrative I had been fed about my diagnoses was that they were due to a theoretically innate chemical imbalance in my brain, as opposed to repeated trauma - which is a staple of (C)PTSD. so i felt very validated, and like i now have a more accurate idea of the origins of my pain, and thus a different, slightly clearer path to go down to understand and treat these long-standing issues.
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funkymonkey222

2y

i always feel weird going to my therapist thinking i have something specific w the fear people think i’m making shit up. however, just remind yourself that they are there to guide you and being honest is the best way they can do that
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Nguyening

2y

The truth is, receiving a diagnosis is the BEST course of action because a medical diagnosis allows your doctors/therapists treat you with the best course of treatment. When a person is undiagnosed of anything, that person 100% of the time suffers more than necessary. But when that person is evaluated by another licensed individual or a group of licensed people, the treatment that they are given at the very least allows said person a fighting chance at their ailments. I wish you the best
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Nguyening

2y

I understand that you have a long list of ailments. But even if you choose to cut that list down, by getting a diagnosis first, one at a time… you can’t lose.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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