Suggest Treatment For Complicated Childhood Psychological Trauma

Posted on Sun, 22 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 22 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello. I am trying to process my childhood trauma related to some physical, and a lot of emaotional child abuse. I'm seeing a psychologist since the past 6 months, but she claims that she doesn't make diagnosises on anyone. I'm a bit confused, because I feel like putting a label on the after effects of what I'm feeling will help me more actively become involved in healing it, but I'm not sure if this is just a misperception, like, if seeing the psychologist without a diagnosis should be enough. I don't particularly like the idea of drugs or medications, but I would be open to seeing a psychiatrist if he would be able to give me a more active treatment plan etc. COuld i please have your professional opinion on how to proceed properly?

Answered by Dr. Ravi Soni (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Seeing a psychiatrist would benefit

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for writing through HCM.

I have read your query and understood your concerns.

Detailed history and interview are required for making psychiatric diagnosis. It may take 2 to 3 consultation to make a diagnosis even for a psychiatrist for a complicated childhood psychological trauma.

Psychologist does not have knowledge of how to proceed for a diagnosis. Their basic training is to talk and apply psychological tests like rorschach, TAT and so may others. They do not have knowledge of drugs and they can not prescribe it.

I feel that you should visit a psychiatrist and tell about your current symptoms and emotional issues. He will find a trail which will take him to your childhood issues and then he will ask more details to make a diagnosis. After making the diagnosis, he can tell you about the possible treatment options.

If there will be a diagnostic confusion then he may refer you to a psychologist for evaluation and testing like rorschach or thematic apperception test etc.

In my opinion, for a psychiatric illness based on psychological issues of childhood, drugs won't help. It may be possible that you can have benefit from psychoanalysis sessions instead of seeing a psychologist. Psychoanalyst is professionally trained psychiatrist in finding the childhood psychological issues and making them correct.

You can also ask the same psychiatrist that psychoanalysis would help or not.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have further query then I shall be happy to help.
Wish you good health.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad