PTSD diagnosis - what next?

[TheBigBlue]

Had a zoom call with my psychiatrist today.

I mentioned that my psychologist thought I had symptoms of PTSD & he said he thinks the same thing & that is affecting my emotions & behaviours. He did tell me he thinks I am improving, he told me today when he first met me he was really worried & thought I needed to go to hospital.

So I guess if he notices a change there must be one. So why do I feel so down & depressed all the time? Like every day.

He wants to speak with me again in a months time. So now I’m lost & confused. What do I do about the PTSD? Do I just work on this with the psychologist or should the psychiatrist be helping me with this? I speak with my psychologist once a week so my appointments with her are much more regular.

I don’t know anything about PTSD or how to deal with it.

i am on 2 types of medication for my mental health issues but is there more I should be doing or trying or talking about with him?

Any advice?

[Soberlicious96]

Dear BigBlue,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and well done for reaching out.

I am sorry to hear that you are feeling so down and depressed. Life is no fun when you can't see a light a the end of the tunnel.

Perhaps you could try seeking/using some other sources of help online, in between your sessions with the Psychologist and Psychiatrist. Do you think that might help?

For example there is one site called 'Mood Gym' which is 'like an interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practice skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.'

Anyway, just something I thought could be worth a try, considering you are asking if there is more you could be doing.

In the meantime, try to remember to be taking good care of your 'other' health, as in your physical health too. Make sure you are eating three healthy meals a day, getting some exercise, regular sleep and try and keep to some sort of routine in your day. I don't know if you are working at all? You didn't mention that. If not working, perhaps you could use this time to develop a hobby of some sort too? Hobbies can be a great distraction.

Anyway, I don't know if any of that helps or not? Hope it does, even if just a little.

Remember too that Beyond Blue is here for you for as much support as you want and need, and as much as we can provide.

Take care, I'll be thinking of you. xo

[GimZim]

I love moodgym, my psychiatrist recommended it while I was waiting for my first psychology appointment with my (then) new psychologist. I also started using the smiling mind app for mindfulness meditation.

I was also given a pamphlet about PTSD and CPTSD that had self-help workbooks from the CCI (Centre for Clinical Interventions). I found the ones for Distress Tolerance extremely helpful as that's been one of the things I've struggled with most.

I'd second soberlicious96 on the hobbies front too.