What is delayed-onset PTSD?
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops in people who have experienced a traumatic event. It’s diagnosed when a person experiences its symptoms for at least a month after a trauma (click here for our page defining trauma) has occurred.
Delayed-Onset PTSD is a subtype of PTSD that is defined by individuals experiencing symptoms after six or more months have passed following a traumatic event. Since the symptoms are experienced long after the trauma has occurred, it can be really confusing to go through.
Symptoms can include:
- Poor sleep
- Significant changes in mood/behavior
- Intense physical sensations
- Feelings of guilt or blaming oneself for the event
- Being on edge or feeling restless
- Isolation
- Feeling numb
- Trouble focusing
- Difficulty in remembering the event
- Heightened/persistent irritability, anxiety, and depression
What causes delayed-onset PTSD?
There’s no one cause, but it is still being researched and discovered as to why it happens. Some research suggests that being exposed to additional life stressors, experiencing an increase of existing PTSD symptoms, and exposure to another traumatic event can influence one’s risk of having delayed-onset PTSD. Life stressors like unemployment, financial stress, losing a loved one, or other disorienting experiences in life can cause symptoms of PTSD to be delayed. Experiencing highly stressful events back to back can also cause a delay of recognizing symptoms.
How is delayed-onset PTSD treated?
Since healing is not a one-size-fits-all, the treatment of any mental health condition varies, including this one. Studies have shown that therapy, medication, or a combo of the two can help people with delayed-onset PTSD. Therapy that is trauma-focused, where the clinician provides information teaching their clients about trauma, its impacts on the brain/body, and how creating a safe space for them to heal and grow is important to consider when treating this condition. Group therapy is also an effective form of therapy for this condition.
Is there anything I can do by myself if I experience these symptoms?
● Move your body (walking, stretching, dancing, exercising, etc.)
● Nourish your body with food that makes you feel good in the long run
● Be gentle with yourself throughout your journey (in the good and the bad times)
● Share your experience with someone you trust (friends, family, partner, therapist, etc)
● Making time to connect with the outdoors
Please feel free to reach out if you’re struggling with symptoms of this condition. Delayed-onset PTSD is experienced by 25% of those diagnosed with PTSD, that is 1 in 4 people. At Space to Reflect, we are trauma-informed and client-centered. Our top priority is to make you feel safe.