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

[Changing4Best]

My trauma was supressed, but discovered when I was around 6-8 yrs old and stopped then. It started, earliest I can recall from therapy, at age 6 months or so. (I was still sleeping in my crib). And it was against a different wall than it was in my earliest natural (unregressed) memories. My first mental lapse or blackout happened when I was about 8.

 

[MissMacD]

My first memory of dissociation happened in Grade 2 - I remember feeling really distant from everything and telling my teacher about it. They sent me for an eye test and nobody ever mentioned it again. I felt as though I had left my body because I had. I have other early memories too like waking up in my crib and crying and nobody coming to get me.

My mother was great in the early years of my life but was not cut out to be a devoted mom. She couldn't handle taking care of children and herself. She ultimately chose herself which was a devastating blow for me to have my mother suddenly disappear from my life. My hell started when I was about 5 - around the time my mother disappeared.

 

[safenow]

Back in the 1950's they didn't believe in ptsd. Times have changed, thank goodness. I was a very different type of child: animals cared for me better than humans. I drank water from the same places the animals did. I urinated and defecated out back behind the grapearbor. If the police had not rescued me I would have been buried out there. My step-mother died in prison, my father left the state. Even after I learned how to function in society I was not like a normal person. I had no background. When I was in my 40's a therapist recorded our sessions and came to the conclusion I suffer from Chronic Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. When a life threatening situation arises, I react as a military person would. I've ended up in jail because someone touched me, or caused me pain when they didn't mean to. Thank goodness for Judges who understand PTSD. Over the years military people have known exactly what to do when they've seen me hit the ground, roll and scan the area. Or duck under the nearest desk/car or whateer.

I end up in mental hospitals because I am so different, when I'm triggered and can't pull myself out of it, no one else knows what to do. They think I'm a danger to myself or others (which I'm not). When I'm badly triggered, I lock my doors/windows, unplug or turn off my phone, do not answer the door until I'm back together again. For me, it is the best way to be able to be around regular humans. When I could drive, I'd find myself getting overly people polluted and go up into the rocky mountains away from all humans. Sometimes it took weeks, but it is how I learned to survive as a small (wee child) human. Animals understand. Humans do not. But thank goodness, I have had some wonderful therapists (not many, but a few) who taught me how to function and are there for me when I need to get fresh input. I am now seeing another one whom I adore. He is still adjusting to me. LOL. He also invited Masters-students to sit in on our sessions so they can observe and ask questions. I'm glad to help them to help others like me.

Being online has brought it's own kind of trauma. Cyber stalkers, cyber bullying, cyber rapists, etc. Sometimes, I want to give up, but what is the choice if you do? I close up mentally, and suck my thumb only to wake up in a mental hospital months or even years later. Then, we start all over again. I can not imagine what having family must be like. Oh well. enough of my rambling.

I am, safenow.

 

[safenow]

Thank you, Cherryblossom.

Safenow

 

[safenow]

As a young woman my home was broken into. I was in my early 20's. Four men came into my home while i slept. I won't tell you what happened during those next few days and nights, but it was not good. When I got out of the hospital I was not able to work for a period of time. I tried, but my startle response was high and things went flying or my screams would scare everyone.

For me, this was the first time I actually had normal ptsd reactions to things. The meds they gave me did keep me calm, but also like a zombie. Even to this morning, stepping out of the shower i can see the reminders of what those men did to me and it's been over 47 years. The bullet hole in my leg doesn't trigger me nearly as bad as those tic-tac-toe scars do. An oxygen mask over my face, causes such a bad flashback I have to use all my training in grounding to keep me on the earth and not trying to hurt those who are trying to help me.

Sorry, for rambling. Today is not a good day for me. Think i'll go over to the diary side of things.

Safenow

 

[LaurieJ]

My PTSD symptoms began on September 11, 2001 the day the trauma took place. I am a 9/11 survivor with a prior traumatic history. What I experienced that day set off severe PTSD. I experienced fight or flight and thankfully the latter won. The amount of anxiety, fear, avoidance, and panic I had that day has diminished over the years but still lingers in some form. I'm just grateful to be alive.

 

[rossy]

Mine started about 12 months after my back injury, the depression kicked in first then the flash back then the rage couldn't see a future. Luckily I noticed the feeling weren't going away and I needed help I have to say my GP has been great and understanding, also my wife who has her own battles and trauma. If it wasn't for there love and understanding I wouldn't be here now. I count my lucky stars I'm here cause each day is a bonus, some days are good some days are really hard. Being alone and in the dark is still a big problem.

 

[Ayasha]

I voted for 12 months or later simply because I was not formally diagnosed nor really felt the indication that something was wrong. My problems began when I was between four and five years of age and I think that over the years, I grew up with odd behaviors and no one really noticed what it was.

My symptoms got much worse when these memories came up and I suppose I realized what had actually been happening to me. So maybe that's when the PTSD really began.

 

[Lucycat]

When the police first contacted me - about 40 years after the first event.

 

[BlackbirdSinging]

It was so long ago.. I don't even remember. I just know that what I experience and now know to be PTSD is something I've dealt with for more than 3 decades.

 

[Graven Idol]

I feel silly for saying this, but mine didn't rear it's head (at least fully) until 21 years after the event. I was told it was because of the Sandusky trial X(.

 

[Ayasha]

I feel silly for saying this, but mine didn't rear it's head (at least fully) until 21 years after the event.

I wasn't diagnosed until a year ago although the traumatic event happened when I was very little but as I've been working through it I have started to think I showed symptoms but no one ever really noticed and I wasn't aware of it. Don't feel silly for not knowing.