ptsd Questions About Ptsd Process

[douglife]

First off I'm new here but from browsing around it looks like people may have similar issues that I am most likely about to have. I was in the USMC from 08-12 and served on 2 combat deployments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan as a machinegunner.

I've been out nearly 2 years and always had that attitude such as "therapists can't help me, blah blah blah" and well my PTSD like symptoms seem to be getting worse... Mood swings, anger outbursts, vivid and not so vivid dreams, being startled by noises etc. I had my intake appointment this morning and the therapist seemed like he was attacking everything I was saying the entire hour. At the end he said that I don't have symptoms of PTSD but instead I most likely have a sleep disorder. I find it strange that in an hour and only asking a very small handful of questions about what happened on my deployments that this "doctor" could tell me straight up that I don't suffer from PTSD. He told me to do the MMPI (the 500+ question assesment) and that we would discuss the findings a week from today.

Sure my PTSD symptoms may be minimal since I've gone nearly 2 years without reaching out for help but I feel that is a sign of a failing system.

What steps should I be taking in the following weeks?

[Philip Rogers]

I'll warn you ahead of time, "I believe" the VA is pushing to downplay the PTSD diagnosis, as it's not curable and many more have it than they like to believe. You probably have it. I'd seek counseling at or thru a Vet Center. You should check your symptoms and see which ones conform to a PTSD diagnosis. Without a certain number of the symptoms you won't get a PTSD diagnosis.

Under the new rules only the VA can diagnose PTSD, which makes the claims process slanted towards the VA. I think this will change, eventually.

pr

[douglife]

So I need to do counseling via Vet Center then reach out to the VA again once I've done some counseling sessions? Would I have any help with this issue via the DAV since I gave them POA for my other claims?

Should I also keep requesting to see other doctors at the VA or would that be wasting my time?

[carlie]

Welcome,

"I had my intake appointment this morning and the therapist seemed like he was attacking everything I was saying the entire hour."

Intake appointment and therapist for where - VAMC or private.

I agree - check with your nearest vet center asap - you can do a walk in visit

to get started.

www.vetcenter.va.gov

[BearGator56]

Start scheduling appointments ASAP. You can start with your general doc. They will ask you questions every time you do your triage intake on your appointments about your general mood, suicidal thoughts, etc. Make sure you are telling your doc about all your feelings and stress that you would like to get involved in PTSD counseling because of them. Make sure you're relating these things to the combat tours you were in and nothing prior to that. Talk about the things you saw and what those dreams are about. That will get the ball rolling. That initial exam just gets you in the door and is nothing to worry about. Just hoops to jump through. But you'll need to stay in the system and keep making appointments. You'll need to enroll in ebenefits and myhealthevet, too. Ebenefits will have where you apply for compensation. You can always talk to a vet rep to help you through the process before you do so. Any injuries, wounds, surgeries, etc you should apply for, even if you get a 0 rating it's still on the books to get you started with any future complications.

Here are links to both sites to get you started there:

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=Apply

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/anonymous.portal?_nfpb=true&_nfto=false&_pageLabel=mhvHome