this may be a stupid question

[hlangdon]

Could seeing seeing a loved one pass away at home be considered part of PTSD? Only reason I'm asking is because I watched my mom suffer from cancer and past away at home. Also my natural father past away from cancer and never saw him at the end since my parents were divorced he would cancel his turn to have me on weekends due to being sick with cancer. I found out he had cancer after he past away and my mom handed me the obituary to tell me that my father past away. I was told that both were so long ago that its not PTSD

[Krazie]

PTSD can be delayed in some people, and not show up for years after the event. Have you thought about going to a therapist who specializes in PTSD. They could better identify PTSD symptoms, and offer solutions for dealing with it.

[hlangdon in reply to Krazie]

thank you Krazie. I haven't seen anyone yet who specializes in PTSD yet. the new dr and therapist both said its not ptsd. thats why i asked the question. I wasnt even offered to go to support group for either parent. Sad part is that I was 10 when my father past away.

[Krazie in reply to hlangdon]

It is very traumatic for a child to lose a parent. If counseling isn't offered at the time of the occurrence, it can cause a lot of troubles as an adult. Mood disorders, relationship problems, many others.

I am sending you well wishes. And a ton of hugs.

[hlangdon in reply to Krazie]

thank you Krazie

[kenster1]

your answer in my opinion is yes.i saw my son lay dead on a hospital bed it was the most heartbreaking moment a person could go through.that moment lives with me every day and I still struggle nearly 19 years later.my dad passed away easter sunday and his final moments are adding to the experience I went through with my son.can I ask who told you it wasn't ptsd.

[hlangdon in reply to kenster1]

Kenster both my dr and therapist told me it wasn't ptsd. Sorry to hear about your son and day. My father was 33 yrs ago and my mom will be 10 yrs ago.

[kenster1 in reply to hlangdon]

trauma is part of ptsd so you witnessing your dear mum pass away can be classed as ptsd.i would go back and ask for a second opinion.

[AZ1970]

I think anything that rocks our sense of security and safety can be traumatic. When the body and brain can not reconcile it, PTSD can develop. This is just my opinion.

[Taylorsunshine]

1st...your question is not stupid & at least you are strong enough to have the courage to reach out to ask for help ! I watched my mom suffer through 3 different kinds of cancer & spend her last year of life in a rehab center with a trach & feeding tube. Then my father had a massive heart attack & ended up with brain damage on a ventilator. Me & my brother had to make the decision to remove it. These events happened 19 years ago. I went through a severe bout of anxiety/depression after having surgery a few years ago. I was so confused because all I could think about then was their deaths & I felt like I was grieving for them all over again. I wanted you to know that I understand how you are feeling. One thing I do know for sure is after going though these types of things, I feel like I am a much stronger & more compassionate person. Even though am I 45 years old, I still miss & need them so very much. Stay strong & I hope you feel better soon 💞

[hlangdon in reply to Taylorsunshine]

thank you Taylor. I still think of my dad since he past away. I'm 43 yrs old and still wonder what the relationship would be like with him to this day. He was honored yrs ago for saving someone's life when he was on a fire department and I always wonder if he was still alive if he would have helped out on 9/11,

[Hidden in reply to hlangdon]

He did help. He greeted all those who joined him in Heaven.

[Taylorsunshine]

Such a beautiful memory on having your dad honored, you must be so proud of him ! I could only imagine that he would have wanted to help out on 911, maybe he did in a special kind of way 😇 I have always wondered if my parents have watched over & protected my son (their only grandchild) throughout his life ? I know everyone has different beliefs & I hope I don't offend you by saying this...I feel like my parents are still here for me in spirit when I need them. I just wish when I talk to them that I could feel or hear something back. Take care & I hope you have a great day 💕

[Needtovent]

Personally i think the answer is yes, it could be PTSD. I don’t believe that there is any one diagnostic for it, and consequently it is a matter of professional opinion given certain characteristics (likely defined in some journal somewhere). That said, i also believe it is a label which ultimately guides treatment. So bottom line, is you need to find a therapist who is willing to address your current issues (anxiety, i’m Assuming) and consider these past losses and how they may be impacting your symptoms. If your current therapist is doing that - is the label all that important? I hope you see what i mean...I am NOT disregarding your past experiencies. Wishing you peace!

[Kitten58]

That would be traumatic and could cause PTSD in and of itself.

[Kitten58]

Bull crap. Most of mine happened while I was in my early teens. A Neurologist diagnosed a somatiform disorder with a psychiatrist later classified as PTSD. That was last year. I am 58.

[Hidden]

PTSD involves anything that mentally traumatizes us no matter the time limit. What about all those soldiers that still suffer from wartime? My father in law just passed away at home where my family lives and it was traumatic to see, even for a seasoned nurse of 25 years. For days, I literally kept hearing him say things he used to say and I was wide awake and the voice was as clear as it could be. That's trauma. I suffer PTSD from a severe car wreck which the car was on fire and I was stuck inside and that was 3 years ago. Also from childhood and i'm 45 now. Time has no relevance when it comes to traumatic events. Counseling can help. I hope you find relief.

[6ixtyon1]

There is absolutely nothing dumb about your question...people from 1 to 100 have experienced this...

My older brother wasn't there for either of our parents' passings.

I wasn't there for my father's.

It can be like they just stepped out of a room and never came back...if that's what it's feeling like for you, there is nothing wrong with getting some counseling.

If your parents had cancer, were they being cared for by a hospice group(s)? A lot of them, now, offer free counseling for survivors...sometimes, up to one year, after someone has passed away.

Your PTSD can be very, very real, indeed. Don't let anyone make you feel that you shouldn't get a second or third opinion on that, just because some time has gone past...or, your medical insurance (if you have any) doesn't cover you, after such and such a time.

If cost is an issue, try this, online: google.com/search?client=op...

Blessings to you, and please accept my condolences for your great losses...

Keep us posted, and let us know if you have other concerns.