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

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


  • Total voters
    1,510
So when did your symptoms first appear? This is the magic question which will show quite drastic results compa...
My PTSD didn't truly present itself until after my Mother passed away 3 years ago and after my Father passed away this past February, my world completely caved in. I had held things in from the age of three until I was 18 and never fully told the story to anyone. Then I had one trauma right after another from childhood through adulthood. I had too many people that relied on me, so I couldn't break, I could only deal with everyone else's issues or needs and not my own. This is why my PTSD didn't truly rear its ugly head until later years. I had triggers and I warned people of the triggers that I had but PTSD wasn't a known thing back then and it was "taboo" to even discuss things like that. So I held everything in for the most part.
 
My PTSD symptoms started showing up immediately, but I didn't realize that's what they were at the time. Honestly, I thought I had gotten past them. It was 10 years later when I experienced a similar near event that sent the PTSD into overdrive. It was I was right back there. I didn't realize it was hiding behind the wall.
I didn't even talk much about the event in T because I thought I was okay. It's not the whole reason I am the way I am, but it's a big part.
 
I got PTSD symptoms the next day. But I didn't realize it. I was lightheaded and dizzy all day and very tired. I thought it was due to an unrelated other physical disease I have. I took some B12 and iron supplements. I thought it was anemia.
 
As soon as I was ambulatory again I began carrying my handgun pretty much 24\7. I watched tv with it under the sofa decor pillow. I quit going to social events around then. I had multiple pains and health issues but never connected them beyond the aches of broken bones. Now, some 15 years on I am unable to leave home, drive alone, I only sleep days, multimeds, panic attacks, nightmares. The Disability people don't see how I could function so well as they put it for so long and now I cant! The older I get (52) the weaker I feel, less able to defend myself, less able to concentrate and remember. Have a can it be this long and NOw I've lost control and am terrified of the neighbors dog barkibg? What took so long?
 
25 years.

I had buried everything very deep inside and thought it was forgotten. Until it ALL came back in a flash and took away my life. Since then I have been doing what I can to get back some level of normalcy.
 
25 years.

I had buried everything very deep inside and thought it was forgotten. Until it ALL came back...
Quang, That's pretty much how it had happened with me as well. I thought my life was under control and after my parents passed away, my life fell apart. It started falling apart after I lost my mother and then got even worse after I lost my father.

I pray one day we will find that normalcy again and feel like we are back on top of the world! Sending hugs your way!
 
Traumatic events of various types occurring periodically from since I can remember til maybe 7/8 years of age. Depressed since I know it, attemped suicide at 16, started feeling the first typical ptsd-related symptoms at 19.
 

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