do you think i should go see a doctor to see if i really shhould be dx'd with PTSD if i have the followig symptoms:

@sleep problems including nightmares and waking early
@flashbacks and replays which you are unable to switch off
@impaired memory, forgetfulness, inability to recall names, facts and dates that are well known to you
@impaired concentration
@impaired learning ability (eg through poor memory and inability to concentrate)
hypervigilance (feels like but is not paranoia)
@exaggerated startle response irritability, sudden intense anger, occasional violent outbursts
@panic attacks
@hypersensitivity, whereby every remark is perceived as critical
@obsessiveness - the experience takes over your life, you can't get it out of your mind
@joint and muscle pains which have no obvious cause
@feelings of nervousness, anxiety reactive depression (not endogenous depression)
@excessive levels of shame, embarrassment
survivor guilt for having survived when others perished
a feeling of having been given a second chance at life
@undue fear
@low self-esteem and shattered self-confidence emotional numbness, anhedonia (inability to feel love or joy)
@feelings of detachment
@avoidance of anything that reminds you of the experience physical and mental paralysis at any reminder of the experience
@= the symptoms i have

well do you think i should?

Hi Amber

Long time no see

I cant say yes or no to your question but I can say that I am very impressed at your ability to summerise each emotion into words that are understandable by someone else reading them

I guess my responce to this would be that if you are capable of summerising it the way you did, then you are capable of giving yourself the answer to your question

It never hurts to talk to someone such as a doctor about things. I see you as being very capable of taking any advise he might give to you and summerising ,and qualifying it before you do anything that he might suggest.

What does your Mom think

Her opinion should help to guide you with your discision

Boogie,

Anxiety of this nature is bad enough in and of itself and can have a huge and very negative influence on your life in general. So, on that basis alone I would consider seeking the help of a psychiatrist/psychologist.

However, it gets even a bit more complicated. Especially when you involve the ADHD. ADD and anxiety involve much of the same parts of the brain nuerologically speaking. Having ADHD alone puts you at a 50% greater risk of developing anxiety disorders. Once you develop and anxiety disorder the big thing to remember is that they "clump". In other words, if you get one, chances are you will over the course of time get others. Why? Well, this is largely due to the fact that the anxiety disorders are so similar to each other in their workings that it is ridiculous. You could start with PTSD, get OCD on top of that, GAD, Panic attacks etc. Anxiety is difficult to treat, though medications and CBT can be very effective and if you are lucky like I was you can go into complete (or near complete remission). They younger you seek treatment the better your prognosis as an adult. At your age your brain is not done maturing yet, so you have a very good prognosis.

In short dear, sweet, clever, and funny Boogiebutt, please do seek a doctor's advice.

I am very impressed with you dear. Do you have an interest in psychology? You express yourself very well in writing. Better than most adults I know, a few of them professionals I might add. Anyway, I know what anxiety is like Boogie, so Doc's got my vote.