Do I Have PTSD or Something Else?
If you’re uncertain if your symptoms are caused by PTSD or another condition, it could be helpful to inquire with your doctor or therapist about potential differential diagnoses, which are other conditions that share similar symptoms.
Experiencing a jarring or traumatic event can be challenging, and it may be difficult to move on from it. You may continue to experience heightened anxiety and other symptoms even after the traumatic event has ended.
Experiencing a traumatic event may sometimes result in PTSD, although not all trauma leads to this condition. Additionally, various other conditions share similar symptoms with PTSD, which can make receiving a precise diagnosis more challenging.
Experiencing anxiety and worry after a traumatic event is a common response. However, it may be difficult to determine when such symptoms indicate PTSD and when they may be indicative of another condition.
What is PTSD?
In the past, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was mainly associated with combat veterans and was referred to as “shell shock.” However, current research has shown that PTSD can develop after various types of trauma, not just war-related experiences.
According to the American Psychological Association, PTSD is classified as an anxiety disorder that is associated with a traumatic event.
According to the definition, trauma is characterized by the experience of actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. Trauma can manifest in a variety of situations such as combat, abuse or assault, or surviving a natural disaster.
Some can include:
- vivid and unwanted memories of the traumatic event
- staying away from anything related to the event or where it took place
- shame or guilt about what happened
- changes in mood
- anger or rage
- causing harm to oneself
What conditions can PTSD be confused with?
It’s worth noting that not all individuals who experience a traumatic event develop PTSD. Moreover, it’s possible for someone to have PTSD along with another condition.
Differential diagnosis is a process used by doctors to distinguish between disorders that have similar symptoms.
Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is often crucial to finding effective treatments, coping strategies, and support systems for recovery.
Discussing your symptoms and experiences with a healthcare provider or therapist can help you determine the best diagnosis and treatment plan for your needs.
Attempting to diagnose oneself can be dangerous and inaccurate. It is crucial to seek the help of licensed mental health professionals, such as therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers, to get an accurate diagnosis.
Some conditions that share similarities with PTSD include:
- Acute stress disorder (ASD)
- Adjustment disorder
- Depression
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD)
- Substance abuse disorders
It’s important to note that while these conditions share some symptoms with PTSD, they each have their own distinct set of symptoms and require different treatment approaches. A licensed mental health professional can help determine the appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Acute stress disorder
This disorder shares several symptoms with PTSD, and the duration of symptoms is a crucial factor in the differential diagnosis. PTSD typically requires the presence of symptoms for at least one month.
Complex PTSD
The symptoms of complex PTSD resemble those of PTSD, but the underlying cause is different. While PTSD is typically associated with a single traumatic event, complex PTSD is caused by repeated exposure to trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect, or prolonged interpersonal trauma.
Although complex PTSD is not recognized as a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5, many therapists acknowledge and treat its symptoms.
Dissociative disorders
When someone experiences a traumatic event, dissociation is one way their body copes with the experience. Dissociation creates a separation between their mind and body, which provides some distance from the trauma.
While this can be helpful in the moment, individuals with PTSD may find that dissociation occurs repeatedly, which can disrupt their daily lives. For example, during a flashback, someone with PTSD may feel disconnected from reality.
Some of the common symptoms shared by different dissociative disorders include:
- Feeling disconnected from oneself or one’s surroundings
- Memory loss or gaps in memory
- Feeling detached from emotions or having emotional numbness
- Loss of time or sense of time
- Feeling as if you’re outside of your own body (depersonalization)
- Hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
- Feeling as if you’re in a dream or foggy state (derealization)
- Identity confusion or multiple identities (in dissociative identity disorder)
There is a close connection between dissociative disorders and past traumas, and they are often associated with PTSD. Additionally, there is a subtype of PTSD that is classified as a form of dissociative disorder. Seeking professional help is crucial to accurately determine which condition may be affecting an individual.
Generalized anxiety disorder
Generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD can have similar symptoms, such as intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and feeling on edge.
However, the key difference is that people with generalized anxiety disorder tend to have a history of anxiety across a variety of situations, while people with PTSD experience anxiety specifically in response to a past traumatic event.
It is important to seek professional help to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Depression
The symptoms of depression and PTSD can be similar at times. Individuals with depression may feel a sense of hopelessness, as well as experience intense feelings of shame and guilt.
While those with PTSD also experience extreme feelings of shame, it is typically focused on the traumatic event they have experienced.
Panic disorder
A person with specific phobia may experience extreme anxiety in relation to a particular object or situation, and may avoid it to prevent a panic attack. Similarly, someone who has experienced trauma may also avoid certain situations, so these two conditions can sometimes appear similar.
Substance use disorder
Substance use disorders share some symptoms with PTSD, such as high anxiety or feeling on edge, changes in mood, and habits. However, substance use disorders are caused by the use of drugs or alcohol, whereas PTSD is a result of experiencing a traumatic event.
How often does PTSD occur with something else?
A differential diagnosis can aid in differentiating PTSD from other conditions, but it’s possible to have both PTSD and another disorder with overlapping symptoms. In such cases, it’s referred to as comorbidity.
A common comorbidity with PTSD is substance use disorder. According to the PTSD Alliance, out of the more than 7 million people in the United States who have PTSD, up to 40% also struggle with addiction.
Researchers have estimated that approximately 52% of males who suffer from PTSD also have a substance use disorder.
How to get help for PTSD and other conditions
If you’re struggling with both PTSD and substance use disorder or other conditions, there are resources available to help you. Starting by consulting with your primary care physician is a good option. They can offer referrals to additional resources if needed.
If you already have a trusted counselor or psychiatrist, they can also be a helpful person to turn to for support.
To receive appropriate treatment and begin the healing process, it’s crucial to be transparent and straightforward about all of your symptoms when discussing them with a mental health professional. This includes symptoms associated with PTSD and those that might be related to other conditions, such as depression or panic disorder. This way, you can receive the necessary help to manage all of your symptoms and make progress towards recovery.
There are various evidence-based , including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). helps people challenge the patterns of behaviors, feelings, and thoughts that are causing distress.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT). CPT helps people modify and challenge unhelpful trauma-related beliefs.
- Prolonged exposure therapy. This type of CBT teaches people to gradually approach memories, feelings, and places related to the trauma to learn that they aren’t dangerous.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, you’re not alone. Help is available right now:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255.
- Text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Call the Veterans Crisis Line 24 hours a day at 800-273-8255
Not in the U.S.? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
Next Steps
To overcome PTSD, it’s essential to realize that you’re not alone in your struggle as millions of people worldwide are going through the same experience. Reaching out for help can be a daunting task, but it’s important to remember that help is available.
If you’re suffering from PTSD or other related conditions, contact your primary care physician or a mental health professional for guidance. Be open and honest about all your symptoms to ensure you receive the most effective treatment.
Mental health professionals can provide you with the necessary resources and support you need to start your healing journey.
This guide can help you find the words to ask someone for help if you’re struggling with PTSD. Although it’s not a replacement for treatment, it can provide support and make you feel less alone as you start your journey towards recovery.
By reading this article, you have already taken an important step towards healing and seeking help for PTSD.
6 sources
- CSTS uniformed services university. (n.d.).
org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_CTC_Asking_for_Help_Do_You_Know_How.pdf - Mann SK, et al. (2021). Posttraumatic stress disorder.
nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559129/ - Pai A, et al. (2017). Posttraumatic stress disorder in the DSM-5: Controversy, change, and conceptual considerations.
nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5371751/ - Post-traumatic stress disorder. (n.d.).
org/topics/ptsd - PTSD treatments. (2020).
org/ptsd-guideline/treatments - van Huijstee J, et al. (2018). The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder: Research update on clinical and neurobiological features.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29063485/