satori

I'm new here and reading through the forums. So much information and thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences. It helps a lot. I have a dumb question. I served from 1998-2003, and then again from 2012-2014. I have a few documented medical issues for my disability claim (hip impingement, shoulder impingement, knee arthritis) but I have never seen a doctor for my biggest one- depression/PTSD. Do I need to have a diagnosis in order to start my claim? In your experience, should I go to a private mental health person or the VA? Or wait for the C@P exam? I just...don't know how all this works. -------------- Details: When I was an E-2 back in 1999, I was on a field exercise and sexually assaulted by a superior (he was an E-7). I kept quiet about it (I was scared) until a few months later when I heard a few other women were harassed by the same guy. So, I told my story to my sergeant and he went up the chain with it. I don't remember exactly what happened, but I did have to give a verbal statement to some Colonel at the base HQ. (The E-7 was discharged and found to have child pornography on his computer, as well as a raging cocaine habit!) Since then, I have had a lot of problems with depression and PTSD. I have been to a few counselors over the years for situational problems (divorces) but I have never seen a psychiatrist or psychologist, nor have I talked about the sexual assault. I have been suicidal and very anxious for a very long time. I rarely leave my apartment. I've just been really scared to talk to anyone and open up. I've also been unemployed for 4 years (!) and would have to put any counseling on my credit card. I did muster up some courage this year and went to the local VA center to sign up for a PTSD counseling program, but they say I did not qualify because my trauma was not combat related. I was also told that the waitlist for regular counseling was over a year long! I'm not sure if that's true, but it was enough to discourage me from trying more with the VA. I'm not sure what else to say. I guess my question is- do I need to see a counselor before I start my claim for depression?