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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can A Drug Addict Suffer From Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

I was wondering how a doctor can tell a patient they dont have post traumatic stress disorder and Generalized anxiety just because they abused opoties? The Suboxone clinic sd they doctor could have mis diagnosed my friend because she was abusing drugs and the doctor prescribing her meds for that didnt know she had a drug problem and that anxiety and the pt

sd can come from being a drug user is that true? Because she is now takin suboxone and still has panic attacks and the stress disorder.

Tue, 17 May 2016
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Hi,
Post traumatic stress and generalised anxiety disorder are distinct diagnoses which are made only in absence of a clear cut influence of another cause like substance abuse or a medical condition causing the symptoms. If they are diagnosed, then it is only when the person has recovered completely from the withdrawal symptoms of the abused drug.
Also, post traumatic stress is an entity that comes after exposure to a very intense and severe kind of stressor to a person, not the ones we encounter in routine lives. And generalised anxiety remains like a constant apprehension or worry throughout the day.
Your friend seems to have the withdrawal symptoms of opioid abuse in the form of panic attacks perhaps due to sub optimal (inadequate) suboxone doses. Do not worry about additional diagnoses. Just stick to the replacement suboxone therapy and your friend should be fine over a period of next few weeks. Thanks!
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Can A Drug Addict Suffer From Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Hi, Post traumatic stress and generalised anxiety disorder are distinct diagnoses which are made only in absence of a clear cut influence of another cause like substance abuse or a medical condition causing the symptoms. If they are diagnosed, then it is only when the person has recovered completely from the withdrawal symptoms of the abused drug. Also, post traumatic stress is an entity that comes after exposure to a very intense and severe kind of stressor to a person, not the ones we encounter in routine lives. And generalised anxiety remains like a constant apprehension or worry throughout the day. Your friend seems to have the withdrawal symptoms of opioid abuse in the form of panic attacks perhaps due to sub optimal (inadequate) suboxone doses. Do not worry about additional diagnoses. Just stick to the replacement suboxone therapy and your friend should be fine over a period of next few weeks. Thanks!