When Did the Symptoms of PTSD First Appear, After the Initial Traumatic Event?

[anthony]

This poll was originally from Pita's questions (http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread274.html) in regard to her research. Please take the time to answer this as correctly as possible for PTSD research.

[piglet]

This is a question I can't even answer, as I cannot remember when the trauma started, only when it stopped. I do have a distinct recollection of something that I now know was a flashback. This was only a few months after I left home. However, it is very probable that I might have shown signs of ptsd as a young child. I just don't know.

If I think about when I actually sought help with symptoms, this was 21/2 years after I left home. I had been coping with the symptoms for a long time and just accepted them as part of me. My life was quite restricted, but manageable. I couldn't handle the depression side of it though and that is what sent me into the doctor. This was ten years ago.

[Nam]

My trauma was during childhood. I did not have symptoms of PTSD until I was twenty five. I did suffer from undiagnosed depression here and there growing up, but the PTSD did not happen until my memories, or flashbacks returned.

[carpediem2006]

It is hard to say as many of us have more than one traumatic event. When exactly it becomes PTSD is difficult to quantify, but the symptoms are more or less immediate. I think that we should also look at PTSS (stress syndrome) that would be a temporary reaction to a one off event as opposed to long standing ongoing stressful situations such as combat, harassment, bullying and abuse. In these cases the symptoms are present but intensify as the threat does not diminish but increases.

As the threat increases so do the negative impacts, such as loss of employment, relationships, friendships so the symptoms then become self-exacerbating.

For many I think full recovery from something like a car crash, earthquake or other one off event is fully feasible.

There will always be triggers, but at the same time we learn to protect ourselves for reasons of self preservation, just as we look before crossing the road. We know and deal with daily 'dangers' every day. The problem is when these dangers are much more than checking to cross the road. And the response is similarly much stronger. I begin to think of it a bit like self protection where the response has gone haywire because the threat(s) were so large.

[Farmer]

My traumatic event happened when I was 8 but the sympoms didn't show up untill 13 or 14, Being an adoleciant I told no one for fear of being different even tho I could see the world was going on a different road than me.

[nml]

Im not sure if the symptoms started as a child or not. There wasnt anyone really paying attention to me unless I was being abused. I was diagnosed with Complex/Chronic PTSD also as I have carried the traumas into my adulthood attempting subconcsiouly to change the outcome of a long ago story. As now I know the symptoms, they ahve been there for many years. Some very traumatic memories were surpressed some were not. I crashed about 9 months ago.

[lorrie]

Stress and trauma has been in my life since my childhood, but the abuse from my marriage and the relationship is my demon. The question is tough because I tried to hide with alcohol but it jut covered the symptoms. I guess it has been about 12 years and my mind has just recently really started trusting my ability to deal with things that I never could before.

[reallydown]

I also went through childhood trauma... I can't say when exactly my symptoms started (there was some related depression in highschool) but I didn't give it much importance until college--when it really started affecting me...

I also have a memory(very sketchy though) of another childhood trauma...and when I asked my mom about it she said that at about that time I had started wetting myself (even though I was fully potty-trained)...so I guess at that time the symptoms showed up earlier...

[nml]

I had forgotten about the bed wetting. Which made matters worse as I would get "punished" for it. I also remember throwing up alot as a small child between ages 5 to 8 years old. I guess symtoms were there. I didnt think about those things as being symptoms. geez.

[sonrisa]

Same here, bedwetting until age 7 (and got punished for it), and at a younger age a lot of outbursts (over and above the terrible twos) which were thought to be some kind of disorder but eventually put down to an allergy to a soft drink. Sure in my teens it was starting to come through more, with depression due to home siutation and bullying at school too, but it was after the car crash when I was 22 that ptsd was clear. Even then, was young [40 now] and didn't understand what it was etc, but definitely about 4 years ago the final crash came, and totally withdrew.

Been finding my own ways of dealing with things until reading on a depression site a year or so ago about ptsd, and suddenly remembering it had been referred to around the time of the car crash. It really made sense then, and to finally have someone assessing correctly just this week, and referring me on for the right help, is a real positive step of progress, and feels like the end of a very long chapter, and the beginning of a much better chapter. This week the first diagnosis was put to me as 'depression with cumulative ptsd that could have begun in the developmental stage but isn't innate', so I agree that often we don't realise how early ptsd is beginning, until the symptoms become much clearer. And definitely, when ptss becomes ptsd I agree must be when we either can't find a way to resolve a trauma or are overwhelmed with circumstances that are consistently traumatic over a long period of time. And e.g. if something very difficult is hanging over your head day in day out, I can very much understand carpediem's point about when it crosses over to 'major threat/flashing lights' when the threat response has got so overwhelmed.

Cat

[becvan]

I voted for 12 months or longer.

My first memory of trauma (and there are too many to count) is when I was around age 5 but I don't have many memories before the age of 12. So we'll just go with that!

Bec

[cookie]

It has been a loooooooong time. trauma started around 3. Symptoms didn't come until last yr. 45 yrs afterward. I know it's strange, i can't seem to do anything the normal way.

[jods]

If a spouse can answer this question, then my answer would be pretty much straight away & within the 1-3mths. We were told that the doctors had to allow the "correct timeframe before they could use PTSD as the diagnosis".

[No-Twitch-Tabitha]

My mother started her crap on me pretty early, my good friend Jackie died of leukemia when I was 6, the molestations started at the same age and ended by 9; when I was 10, both my parents entered hospital (Dad for colon cancer, Mom for her first stroke), by 11, we'd moved to Florida to settle semi-permanently (Dad was in the Air Force).

All I remember is that my depression really started at the age of 11 and by 13 I was suicidal. I've had these symptoms for so long, I don't really remember being anything but "damaged goods". I think may I have started operating in the framework long before I became conscious of my symptoms.

[erryyn]

I had to go with 1-3 months though I don't know how accurate that assessment is. Basically, I found myself in a very violent environment and responded to that violence by developing 'survival' skills - staying away from home as much as possible. I don't know if that was PTSD or not - I think it was a beginning, though.

I quit sleeping (survival skill) but that wasn't because of nightmares until maybe five years later - when most danger had passed; then the nightmares started up in a major way.

I had severe startle reactions immediately but, again, I was in the middle of it. It never went away, though.

Staying away from groups was a learned survival skill at the time but I still can't stand them.

Where I used to be afraid to be at home, I turned into someone who 'protects' my territory beyond belief. I've known people for ten years or more who are not allowed in my space. If they showed up at my door one day, I wouldn't answer the door. As it is, if someone knocks on my door, I don't open it or acknowledge them.

Most people probably think I'm a little odd but they seem to have accepted my 'rules'. I think it's odd that they never ask. Of course, (knowing me) if they asked, we likely wouldn't be 'friends' - it's extremely rare for me to talk to someone about who and why I am.

So, it's a combination that, at the time probably looked like PTSD but I consider it simple survival skills that mutated. *shrugs*

[Claire]

I had a car crash. went on functioning pretty normally until about 6/8 weeks later when I imploded.

[Thornbird]

Being a police officer, I went through one trauma after another. I think it kept me from thinking of the main event which started my PTSD. Once I resigned from the force, when I had more time to think and relax, everything came rushing back.

[slhlilbit]

Im not sure. the day i was given my honerable disharge it took me a couple of days to get my self togeather so i could go home to my son. I spent 2 days in a hotel crying. then i stuffed it all inside. went home and started my life over. i got married to the father of my son two and a half months later. thought everything was fine, until he had to go back on duty, he was on leave becouse he was in japan. when he was stationed at school in vergina.
wow. i forgot this, i had problems when he put the uniform on. when we went to the base. i didnt know what it was.!

[starshine]

I put 12 months or more, but its hard to say. Because which trauma?
I was always an anxious child, and always had night terror type and insomnia and such, and felt suicidal as a teen, but couldn't have told someone of that fact...but when it comes to the hyper-vigilance and all the main PTSD stuff, well, it came on really CONSCIOUSLY after the first break in at my parents' when I was 16 [and still living at home]. It became conscious, through the clear intrusion [had no real concept then that the abuse at home and school was an intrusion..it was my *normal life*] that things weren't safe.
Then when I moved to E. London, and was teaching in some very iffy areas, it really started to come on. But I couldn't clearly identify it until I was actually definitely safe, and started getting the right support. The safety around me made me more highly conscious of my adaptive behaviours and flashbacks.

[Jim]

If I may, I voted/answered for my brother. Believe his symptoms didn't occur for more than 12 months afterwards. In fact, think it was at least 2 years for Eric. Don't quite understand why that is. However. Was quite similar for LtGen Dallaire. He left Rwanda in 94 and didn't have his breakdown until 2000.

Jim.

[9Lives]

It's hard to remember but, my childhood trauma started about 3 (seeing my dad die) & then starting at age 6-13 molestation by my grandfather. And of course there was the physical abuse by my mother until I was 16 & put in a foster home (where I got raped). So, I decided to join the military (raped again) & the list just goes on & on. But, I used to faint a lot when I was a kid, hyperventilate, & dissociate - maybe those were all symptoms??

[Sapper]

If I may, I voted/answered for my brother. Believe his symptoms didn't occur for more than 12 months afterwards. In fact, think it was at least 2 years for Eric. Don't quite understand why that is.

Ok, maybe that explains Brian as well. Though I don't get it either.

[Claire]

Could it be something to do with being in the forces? the training and/or being male too. Just not opening up and talking about stuff? Was Brian in the forces? Just wondered if after training you are better at closing off to emotions but you still get them, the way you deal with them is different?

[Sapper]

Yes Claire, Brian was in the military. There are certain aspects of our training, the military lifestyle and attitude in general that can set a man up for problems later on. I'm sure being male and not talking or expressing oneself adequately contributes also. So perhaps that's a partial answer, thanks for your input.

[anthony]

Claire, the military instills some of the symptoms of PTSD in all soldiers during training as they are requisites for life saving skills, ie. hypervigilance, alertness, awareness, etc etc.

[ClancyBoy]

I was an angry 6-year-old that grew into an angry violent teenager and then an angry (but not so much violent) adult. My first symptom was probably earlier than my earliest memory.

I guess my experience is different from most people's though. What, c-ptsd as opposed to ptsd?

[Shinigami_Shimai]

I guess my experience is different from most people's though. What, c-ptsd as opposed to ptsd?

I think the difference was that C-PTSD is when the person has a long length of trauma due to a long period of abuse or torture. I could be wrong about that one.

Myself I can not remember when I stated showing symptoms. By the second grade I'd become a quiet shelled up child who was too afraid to speak and would break down into tears if I was merely touched. My Aunt told me that my mother found me crying after I got dirt on my hands and wrenched my arm out of its socket as she tried to pull my hands to the sink. That would have to be before I was 5 and my aunt also described other symptoms that she did not realize was anything wrong until much later in life. As far as I can remember I've always been this way. *shrugs*

jaa ne

Kat

[Snoozer]

I have had to live with Complex PTSD from a very young age. My childhood experiences have been compared to that of a concentration camp. Through years of therapy, support and self help I manage my life well. However each time I enter into another stage of learning I am reminded of some of the limitations I live with as a result of my childhood. These limitations are often rooted in concepts that I did have the priviledge of learning.

[JMJM]

I was physically and mentally abused by both parents until I ran away from home at 17.
I tried to commit suicide by walking in front of traffic at 9 i think.
I was hit by a car and woke up in ER.
I had to fight 3 muggers 2 summers ago and then I started to really change.
I lift weights for strength against attackers.
I just went through 4 weeks of trying to make some money for Christmas for my wife.
I sold three fairly good priced paintings.
Still not enough, though.
I then began to start reliving childhood beatings. I was in bed screaming tying to protect myself from my father's belt buckle.
I am now seeking help in an adult men's therapy group.
I am less than optimistic however.
I can talk about this stuff until I'm blue in the face, and it only makes me feel more hopeless.
I think most therapy is ok for most people, but It just doesn't help me.
I have been to a shrink.
He would actually fall asleep "listening" to my problems.
I expect no empathy from anyone, and certainly no healing anymore.
I'll just have to tough it out I guess.
Thank you all.
It was helpful to read your stories.

[pandora]

Age 10-14...fathers sickness and ultimate death
15- violent sexual assault and attemped smothering

15-17- really bad depression...I think.

17-30.....functioned pretty well but made bad choices....poor self esteem most of the time. Allowed a lot of people to walk all over me. Schoolaholic and workaholic.

31 - Complete breakdown - Full PTSD ( After my signifigant other...at the time...his father developed a brain tumour and we took care of him (this was ultimately what my father died from) HUGE reminders...because I had a close relationship with him..He died and I fell apart (after doing palliative care nursing) The reminders were too much...because my emotions took over at that point.

[sally]

not sure I've handled alot before I snapped like
ex-husbands adbuse broken bones sugery repaired face jaw broke in 4 places.
next standing next to a stranger I met that night when he was shot point blank in the face/
ex-boyfreinds beating me till I lost a child at 6 months aglong/then he raped me found out another baby then the tossed my $20. told me get rid of it
cancer / death od daughter at age of 3 years old / sons got involed with drugs
and other forms of breaking the law./ handled it all till the armed robbery in 2006 started in 1974 so it took me 33 years to find life has a name of ptsd
sally

[mightsurvive]

Hi
I answered over a year but thats when i found out i had been through trauma and started experiencing the ptsd in full. The drugs i was given meant that i had amnesia about it for 12 years almost exactly to the day! While i had the amnesia i still had some of the effects of ptsd like poor memory, being angry, paranoia etc but i hadnt got a clue that there was anything wrong with me or what had happened. no flash backs, nor panic attacks etc untill i was triggered 8 months ago. Blanked it all out. So maybe the effects were immediate but i wasnt aware. They certainly werent the full blown effects im experiencing now.

[nonabug5]

It took 20 years

[TaraJ]

I seem to have a delayed reaction.
I was able to push all my hurt down and keep it hidden for years, but
then it came bubbling up to the surface in full force, and threw my into panic attacks and seizures.
I had a traumatic childhood, from age 2 to age 18.
I was able to act like nothing bothered me for all those years, but around the time that I turned 19, I began experiencing a lot of severe forgetfulness, and feeling like I was in a dream. I am almost 32 now, and just a few years ago, I began having seizures.
They would throw me into a frozen state, and cause me to lose consciousness and recollection. I really wish I could stop these symptoms, but I can't afford therapy, and I really don't want to take medicine. I wish someone had an answer for me. I'm all alone over here, with no one to identify with. My only friend who has had a similar life, and who accepts me with all of my flaws is leaving our place of work due to a previous injury. I'm going to be so sad to be alone again.

[morgan]

I answered 1-3 mos. I started having intrusive thoughts and flashbacks after my first rape. I used to fantasize about getting revenge in extreme detail.

With my mom, I started semi-fighting back both with my words and sometimes I would hit her back. I had nightmares about her throughout my childhood until I became an adult and they became less frequent.

Anyway, the symptoms have been with me for as long as I can remember. The diagnosis came rather late.

[nightowl52]

3 to 6 months? But I didn't know why I cried hysterically sometimes. That was the first assault. I won't go into discription for it may cause distress for others. A year laterafter that injury I was writing up the clients medications & at the end of my shift I was trying to figure out what their ment & there. Two years in a row before I went to see the psychologist I've been seeing since 2001. In 2003 I was assaulted again & I don't have a lot of memory of exactly what were on that day but he was trying to kill me. Ok, enough for me.

[monkee]

I know that I had symptoms very soon after my father passed away when I was 13. Specifically I stopped feeling and became dissociative almost from the start. I also suppressed thoughts about the event and about my father, in other words I was avoidant in thinking about the trauma from the very beginning.

[lrs]

I wish I could answer this question, but I don't really know.

[moog]

After many years in the military, the initial trauma happened early on in my career and there has been multiple other trauma's over the years. But since a short tour in Afghanistan and the loss of many friends in the last couple years the symptoms really started to appear.