Comments on: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Americans with Disabilities Act https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/ The Foundation for Post-Traumatic Healing and Complex Trauma Research Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:42:42 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: SHERRI https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-47683 Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:42:42 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-47683 I have a very complex situation. I was horrifically abused by a member of my family, who was also a medical professional. The abuse was vio;ent, almost leading to death twice, and sexual. Part of the abuse included using sedation to allow the abuse to occur.
As a result of this, I am terrified when in any medical situation. I do not like being touched. Obviously, this has created issues in getting medical care. My husband accompanies me to all medical appointments. I was diagnoed with cancer in April 2021. Since then, I have required many tests, scans and procedures. It took lots of requests and a lot of denials, but we were finally able to get it so that my husband is allowed to stay with me for these things without too much argument or pushback from staff. However, I require surgery to remove the cancer if my life is to be saved. Due to my severe trauma involving sedation, we requested a ADA Reasonable Modification Request asking that my husband be allowed to be with me while I being anesthetized, and also before I am awakened, to avoid further trauma and panic at a very bad time. I cannot do the pre-op “calm you down” drugs because they trigger me. We have been told that I cannot be anesthetized outside the OR to avoid the argument that he isn’t allowed in there. I am also legally blind, so imagine, if you can, being in a room full of faceless medical people you cannot see and experiencing the trauma that would cause. The surgeon I was assigned to actually dismissed me from care for asking for the accomodation, and got all the other breast oncology surgeons to also sign off on dismissing me, thus making it impossible for me to be treated. She even went to other doctors outside of that department and asked them to dismiss me as well, but they refused. But that doesn’t help since it has to be a breast oncology surgeon to perform the operation.
I don’t understand the issue as my husband has been there for CT’s, MRI’s, PET scans, Bone Scans, Brain Scans, Biopsies, and even Spinal Injections. I am in a wheelchair and he lifts me onto the tables, helps get me settled, and stands there and holds my hand, dries my tears, holds emesis bags, whatever I need to get me through it all. But yet, they refuse to work with us on something that could save my life. Believe me when I say, having him there is the only option. Otherwisw I cannot do it.

]]> By: Dianna https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-18302 Mon, 20 Mar 2023 21:30:33 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-18302 In reply to Ginger Lee.

Thanks Shirley for your sentiments!! I’ll look into those options.

I didn’t realize it would post my whole name, would you be shoes to remove my last name or cover up the post please. TY!

]]> By: Shirley Davis https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-18267 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:34:32 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-18267 In reply to Ginger Lee.

I’m so sorry you are facing such huge obstacles. Have you contacted your state for Medicaid? Medicaid can pay for outpatient services. I lost a very good job myself to mental illness. It was the hardest thing I’ve faced outside of the childhood trauma I endured. I, too, lived inpatient for over seven years but got out stronger than I went in. I tell you this because I want you to know you are not alone. Reach out to your state and apply for disability from the federal government. I warn you, though, that the process of getting disability is tough and can take a long time. I wish I could give you a hug, but a virtual one will have to do. *HUG*

Good luck on your journey. I hope you are helped soon

]]> By: Denise https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-17857 Thu, 19 Jan 2023 06:10:27 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-17857 I’m a Nurse, have a Psychology Degree and I had no idea I had CPSTD. I was so ms dx’d and on many medications, I should never have been placed on. I isolate, I have problems with daily living, “ nervous system regulation-co-regulating, daily activities, self care, etc.. I just moved to be near my Trauma Specialist and leave my toxic/abusive/verbal-household. I’m 49 and in SSDI. I saw the leasing company emailing us about letters they wanted, if your disabled, but it’s not “visible “. The complex I live in is supposed to be new. It’s not. I moved 900 miles away from everything I know, I’m all alone, terrified to go in and tell management, bc at the end of September, I told them the place was filthy and not done. I was told it was my fault. I didn’t get here for 2 months. Huh. I found that the the 2 doors, Patio and Front have 1 inch gaps, dt old door sweeps, not coming down, let air/debris and bugs in, the windows are not insulated, at all, the doors around. are all cracked and not installed correctly, so the insulation has cracked and doesn’t seal. I’m buying things I shouldn’t and can’t afford. I wasn’t shown a thing. Most I’ve spoken to, had a wonderful, long out of state move in experience. I don’t even have vents to cook. My water heater is leaking tonight, no hot water for shower,( others have complained), I have no hot water dt no pressure in my bathroom in master and I’m allowing this to kill/control, my entire life right now, bc I’m beyond unhappy 😞 and my healing journey. So I’m told. They don’t care. And they know, as I have a co signer, I’m on disability. They left things unpainted, the hvac room should be condemned, brand new washer, mive in day broken, 2++ weeks later, they came in unannounced, while I was showering, took new, hauled out, scratched the crap out of dryer, gave me a musty, dented rented, no manual, different, not energy efficient machine. I’ve not slept in months, dt upstairs, next door, DT the paper thin walls and nobody stops the blasting music you hear on the streets, ever day, until they go to work?. Or Weekends, when office is closed it’s unbearable. It’s literally like they’re in my bedroom …and all they write about is, what the outside looks like, & fines will get. etc.. I have, I smoke, but I’m considerate & trying to quit. My new upstairs neighbors, the husband, he knows I’m below, I pay more than him to be on the bottom, with missing railing pieces and a whole cracked patio, etc, but he flicks right on my head, my chairs, we are not supposed to smoke, but they let us. So I will not, as I’m terrified as he’s my neighbor and in general, say anything. It’s all over my porch. He actually has a wood patio, with 1 inch plus slat holes, crushes his cigarette out on top of porch and me/my chairs and porch. I’m just waiting for it to catch fire. I was healing so well, felt amazing when I came, then I had a change, dt my therapist needing time to herself. Understandable. Now she’s offering groups/hypnosis in it. I need to find a Trauma Specialist who understands this modality. The courage to walk into office and speak up for myself. I noticed this way more about “work” environment. I don’t know how to deal. I’m so sleep deprived and was supposed to be here to heal in peace.one thing But, one thing I will say I noticed, hypnosis-Trauma focused, not CBT/DBT, or talk therapy, looping you, I don’t/haven’t seen it in many places. Including here.? At all, I’ve written about it and given names, when this foundation started on IG. Trauma Hypnosis-includes inner child healing, polyvagl/Somatics/Breath work, Subconscious heal and release, sometimes energy work and more. Healing is Hard. Too hard and we are definitely survivors, surviving healing.

Sort for spelling-new phone

]]> By: Shirley Davis https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16617 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:23:29 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16617 In reply to Ginger Lee.

Thank you. I am also hopeful that CPTSD will one day get recognized in the DSM so that people will not need to struggle so hard for recognition to get their needs met. What are we to do until then? Have our doctor give us the diagnosis of PTSD? Most people with CPTSD also fall under the PTSD description in the DSM. Hm.

]]> By: Shirley Davis https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16616 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:21:06 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16616 In reply to Patrick.

If you are out of the United States, the World Health Organization already recognizes it in the ICD. You can get an official diagnosis through that recognition but not in the U.S.. I know, that’s insane but that is how it is. Shirley

]]> By: Patrick https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16615 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 17:48:43 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16615 I am a lifelong sufferer of C-PTSD Is there a way to officially diagnose a patient with the malady and define the level that will be recognised by government or law

]]> By: Ginger Lee https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16614 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 16:35:06 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16614 In reply to Shirley J Davis.

Hi Shirley,

Respectfully, I worked in HR for many years, and your employer has to be convinced to cover you when there is remotely any gray area. Since CPTSD is not in the DSM yet, this is still officially not recognized. (I certainly wish that it was recognized). People often have to struggle (unfairly) to get ADA coverage at work, with things that are in the DSM.

]]> By: Shirley Davis https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16613 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:53:57 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16613 In reply to Ginger Lee.

You might be right, though. I hadn’t considered the fact that CPTSD is not recognized by the psychiatric community yet because it is not in the DSM5. I’ll need to look into this further.

]]> By: Shirley J Davis https://cptsdfoundation.org/2022/08/01/complex-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-the-americans-with-disabilities-act/#comment-16612 Mon, 01 Aug 2022 15:48:28 +0000 https://cptsdfoundation.org/?p=243783#comment-16612 In reply to Ginger Lee.

The ADA covers all mental impairments. You can read it on one of the links in the article.

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