Had my first session with new psychologist today

Had my first session with new psychologist today
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EGL

Registrant
I had my first session with my long-term (HMO provided) psychologist today. As some of you may recall, I had two previous sessions with a counselor through my employer's Employee Assistance Program, at the end of which the counselor recommended I continue therapy through a long-term source.

I felt very comfortable talking to him and felt like I was cruising through everything really fast, trying to give him a 50,000 ft view of my entire life in 1 hour. He was writing copius notes (3 pages), and I felt a good rapport with him. Only got weepy a few times, so maybe I'm getting better at holding myself together when talking about this.

At the end, he said that his initial diagnosis for insurance purposes would be:

"Adjustment Disorder With Mixed Features"

Although he said his gut feel is that after some more in-depth sessions that he will change the designation to:

"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder"

Can anyone tell me the difference?

Anyway, I have another session a week from Friday. He did say that my family doctor gave a referral for insurance purposes of an initial 6 visits, and that I could renew that at the end. After we had talked today, he said that we won't be through in 6 sessions, given all we talked about. He asked some really good, thought provoking questions that made me think.
 
grats on the good appointment. May your journey be painless and quick!
Godspeed,
Casey
 
Eddie:
For insurance purposes, one must submit a diagnosis. I don't take the diagnoses very seriously in these situations, just try to give someone a dx that is in the ballpark and minimally stigmatizing. (Even with the HIPAA privacy measures, you can't be positive a dx won't follow you.)

Basically, an adjustment disorder is something that is a temporary reaction to some kind of problem (i.e., grief following a divorce) that will likely clear up in time.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is one that indicates a longer term of treatment. Your T is using good diagnosis for the insurance. Just consider the diagnosis as for insurance purposes rather than a label of who or what you are.

Sounds like you got a keeper there.
Ken
 
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