How can people be assessed for PTSD and OCD

[Faith_Hope]

I think i may have OCD and PTSD. How can one be referred and/or assessed for these conditions. 

What types of treatment are available to help treat these conditions? 

And lastly is it possible that a person suffers from these conditions for the majority of their life but have periods where it appears they are coping or not showing signs of these conditions? 

Thanks for your help

[Guest_2350]

Dear Faith & Hope,

welcome to the forum. It is very brave that you have made this first step and please feel free to post again and again, as there are some wonderful people here who are happy to share their stories and offer support to you. They have helped me a great deal.

I have been on my own mental health journey for less than a year - I was functioning or as you put it "not suffering from these conditions" for decades. I think I always had symptoms, but my defense system was very strong and I guess people around me just accepted the way I am. Then things started to feel a bit out of sync and I could not pin point what was going on. About a year ago I started talking to my GP about how I was feeling, sometimes I write letters so I don't have to talk. I have a larger support system now, but I still go back to my GP regularily.

I guess the GP is a good place to start. You can also call the helpline here, they can help to point you in the right direction. You can also email them, if you feel more comfortable doing that, I know I did for a long time. If you know where your PTSD may come from you can also see if there are specialist services - you can also ask the helpline here. You don't need to tell them details, just a general statement and they might be able to let you know about organisations that deal with a more specific group of people. I wish I had done this earlier in my journey, but then I don't think I was ready. Please remember only to share what you are comfortable with, not only here but everywhere.

Please be gentle to yourself. People always said that to me and I did not understand. For me it is to accept the way I feel is ok, it is ok to ask for help and to let go of what other people expect of me. For example nowadays I have a nap on the weekend and it is ok to do that even when friends are around. It is ok if things don't get done if I want to look at flowers. It is ok to go for a walk after a therapy session and not jump straight back into life. It is ok to call a helpline if I cannot get out of my own head alone and I am not scared to talk to a stranger on the other side anymore.

For me this journey is not easy and I am glad I wrote down why I started in the first place.

Faith & Hope, please stay true to your name. There is help out there for us. I wish you all the very best for your journey and please come back with more questions if you wish.

Take care, Yggy

[Guest_5218]

Hi Faith&Hope,

I add my welcome to that of Yggy's.  Good on you for coming onto the Forums to try to get some help and support.

Firstly, this website has heaps of information on all forms of mental illness, including PTSD and OCD.  Both of these disorders are included under the overall umbrella of "Anxiety".  I also suffer from both these disorders. So have a look around this website and select some topics that you wish to learn more about.  There is a lot of help there for you.

Now more specifically - your questions:

How can you be referred or assessed with these disorders?   Start with an appointment with your GP, and explain to him what symptoms you are experiencing. He will then advise you from there.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed based on your symptoms and history. Your GP (or psychologist if you are referred to one) will ask you to describe your signs and symptoms as well as any event that led up to them.  For an official diagnosis of PTSD you need to meet certain criteria from the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". This manual is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions. You can look it up on the internet as well.

What treatment is available?  There are a number of different treatments available depending on the severity of your symptoms.  Your GP can refer you for some 'talk' therapy with a psychologist, or to a psychiatrist for assessment for medications to assist.  Some of the therapies effective for these disorders are CBT Therapy and Exposure Therapy.  Also EMDR therapy.  You can read more about these treatments on this website, or google it on your computer.

Is it possible to suffer these disorders and still have periods of coping and few symptoms? Yes, this is very common.  The severity of PTSD symptoms fluctuate considerably. 

Faith&Hope, I hope this has helped?  Definitely come back and ask further questions if you have any.  There are many people here with a great deal of experience in these matters, so are well equipped to offer you support, understanding and advice.

Do make an appointment with your GP though.  Dont continue to suffer alone, when you dont need to.  There are ways to help.  Good luck .....

Sherie