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Hello, I Am Asking About PTSD . Several Factors Seem
Question: Hello,
I am asking about PTSD. Several factors seem to be converging and my brain is not operating properly. I am 60 years old without family history of altzheimets or dimensia. I has a concussion from a car accident in 2014.
I have had extreme stress from my ex-husband who tried to convince me I had a mental illness and who has stalked me, electronically and physically, for years. My daughter is about to graduate high school and is applying to colleges. I also become more ADD under stress. I am scared and worried about myself. I don’t drink alcohol, no opioids, I take Lexapro for anxiety. I am physically fit for my age (I jog about 2 miles s day), and weigh 110. I have a gluten sensitivity. I eat healthy foods.
How is PTSD DIAGNOSED? And are there things I can do without medications or extreme doctor bills. I have only a major medical policy with a $6000 deductible. Are there lab tests that can be done to verify whether I do have PTSD?
Can this only be done through email, or given my (lack of) brain capacity today, is there any way to speak to someone by phone. I can pay a small fee, if needed. 619-992-6211.
Thank you, XXXXXXX Shoob
I am asking about PTSD. Several factors seem to be converging and my brain is not operating properly. I am 60 years old without family history of altzheimets or dimensia. I has a concussion from a car accident in 2014.
I have had extreme stress from my ex-husband who tried to convince me I had a mental illness and who has stalked me, electronically and physically, for years. My daughter is about to graduate high school and is applying to colleges. I also become more ADD under stress. I am scared and worried about myself. I don’t drink alcohol, no opioids, I take Lexapro for anxiety. I am physically fit for my age (I jog about 2 miles s day), and weigh 110. I have a gluten sensitivity. I eat healthy foods.
How is PTSD DIAGNOSED? And are there things I can do without medications or extreme doctor bills. I have only a major medical policy with a $6000 deductible. Are there lab tests that can be done to verify whether I do have PTSD?
Can this only be done through email, or given my (lack of) brain capacity today, is there any way to speak to someone by phone. I can pay a small fee, if needed. 619-992-6211.
Thank you, XXXXXXX Shoob
Brief Answer:
PTSD is a CLINICAL not LABORATORY Diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as its name implies is a DISORDER best characterized by a constellation bodily dysfunctions of both PHYSICAL as well as PSYCHOLOGICAL/PSYCHIATRIC dysfunctions occurring in an individual as a consequence of highly intense and emotional events resulting in harm or near harm to a person or a loved one. PTSD can be pervasive and affect every facet of a person's life to the point of causing severe incapacity from either a physical or psychiatric perspective such as their home, work, family, and social lives are disrupted on virtually an ongoing basis. There are many manifestations of PTSD that can be looked for by examining and assessing patients by specialized clinicians who recognize the symptoms.
There are no blood or other tests such as imaging studies, etc. that can make a diagnosis of PTSD.
Managing PTSD involving identifying the specific physical/mental disorders attributable to the underlying event and treating or intervening upon that condition in a way that the patient may be able to more easily acknowledge and COPE more effectively with the symptoms so as not to be as invasive or pervasive into the patient's activities of daily living.
While laboratory and other diagnostic tests can be done looking for metabolic derangements such as hyper or hypothyroidism, hyper or hypoparathyroidism, intracranial bleeds, seizure disorders, severe depression, anxiety, and insomnias/parasomnias- rarely would we expect the mere correction of these problems to completely solve the problem of the PTSD (assuming it is the working diagnosis). We perform these tests with the intention of normalizing bodily functions, hormones, and neurotransmitters so as not to CONTRIBUTE to an already altered baseline of physical/psychological functioning.
Psychiatrists, neuropsychiatrists along with psychologists and neuropsychologists are especially well qualified to make the diagnosis of PTSD in conjunction with a patient's primary doctor and other specialists such as neurologists and cardiologists when making the diagnosis of PTSD and setting up a plan for treatment.
In terms of speaking by telephone as a medium of communication you will need to check with the TECH SUPPORT division of this network to inquire if a phone appointment could be possible and what the details are regarding such communication. If this were possible please feel free to contact me once again through this web address of: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and we can settle the details of a date/time/length of contact, etc.
By the way, I LOVE the idea that you maintain such a healthy lifestyle of no drinking, no drugs, (SMOKING???- you didn't say no smoking???), and routine exercise of an aerobic nature as well as an admirable diet AND WEIGHT! You should get on the Dr. Oz show and share your anti-aging secrets young lady! That activity and way of living almost more than anything else you can do or take puts you miles ahead in terms of conquering or at least learning better ways to cope with your presumptive diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, KEEP IT UP....
Although you have a high deductible type of medical coverage plan which means you would likely be paying for routine medical care or "elective" care consultations and testing....I must say that in my opinion, IF you believe you've suffered a concussion and that things still don't feel perfectly right after 4-5 years that it would be well worth your money to spend a little out of pocket toward the deductible just to get seen by a good doc for this problem and then, to decide what type of medication (other than Lexapro) would be useful to you. Advanced imaging will get a bit pricey such as MRI and PET scanning, however, you may be able to find imaging centers locally that will cut you a break if your insurance won't cover the costs due to having the type of policy you've got.
If I've answered your questions satisfactorily would you do me the largest of favors and CLOSE THIS QUERY with a few words of positive feedback
This query has utilized 74 min. of research and response time on behalf of this patient.
PTSD is a CLINICAL not LABORATORY Diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as its name implies is a DISORDER best characterized by a constellation bodily dysfunctions of both PHYSICAL as well as PSYCHOLOGICAL/PSYCHIATRIC dysfunctions occurring in an individual as a consequence of highly intense and emotional events resulting in harm or near harm to a person or a loved one. PTSD can be pervasive and affect every facet of a person's life to the point of causing severe incapacity from either a physical or psychiatric perspective such as their home, work, family, and social lives are disrupted on virtually an ongoing basis. There are many manifestations of PTSD that can be looked for by examining and assessing patients by specialized clinicians who recognize the symptoms.
There are no blood or other tests such as imaging studies, etc. that can make a diagnosis of PTSD.
Managing PTSD involving identifying the specific physical/mental disorders attributable to the underlying event and treating or intervening upon that condition in a way that the patient may be able to more easily acknowledge and COPE more effectively with the symptoms so as not to be as invasive or pervasive into the patient's activities of daily living.
While laboratory and other diagnostic tests can be done looking for metabolic derangements such as hyper or hypothyroidism, hyper or hypoparathyroidism, intracranial bleeds, seizure disorders, severe depression, anxiety, and insomnias/parasomnias- rarely would we expect the mere correction of these problems to completely solve the problem of the PTSD (assuming it is the working diagnosis). We perform these tests with the intention of normalizing bodily functions, hormones, and neurotransmitters so as not to CONTRIBUTE to an already altered baseline of physical/psychological functioning.
Psychiatrists, neuropsychiatrists along with psychologists and neuropsychologists are especially well qualified to make the diagnosis of PTSD in conjunction with a patient's primary doctor and other specialists such as neurologists and cardiologists when making the diagnosis of PTSD and setting up a plan for treatment.
In terms of speaking by telephone as a medium of communication you will need to check with the TECH SUPPORT division of this network to inquire if a phone appointment could be possible and what the details are regarding such communication. If this were possible please feel free to contact me once again through this web address of: www.bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and we can settle the details of a date/time/length of contact, etc.
By the way, I LOVE the idea that you maintain such a healthy lifestyle of no drinking, no drugs, (SMOKING???- you didn't say no smoking???), and routine exercise of an aerobic nature as well as an admirable diet AND WEIGHT! You should get on the Dr. Oz show and share your anti-aging secrets young lady! That activity and way of living almost more than anything else you can do or take puts you miles ahead in terms of conquering or at least learning better ways to cope with your presumptive diagnosis of PTSD. Therefore, KEEP IT UP....
Although you have a high deductible type of medical coverage plan which means you would likely be paying for routine medical care or "elective" care consultations and testing....I must say that in my opinion, IF you believe you've suffered a concussion and that things still don't feel perfectly right after 4-5 years that it would be well worth your money to spend a little out of pocket toward the deductible just to get seen by a good doc for this problem and then, to decide what type of medication (other than Lexapro) would be useful to you. Advanced imaging will get a bit pricey such as MRI and PET scanning, however, you may be able to find imaging centers locally that will cut you a break if your insurance won't cover the costs due to having the type of policy you've got.
If I've answered your questions satisfactorily would you do me the largest of favors and CLOSE THIS QUERY with a few words of positive feedback
This query has utilized 74 min. of research and response time on behalf of this patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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