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

[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 Childhood Was a Series of Traumatic Events

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.