When does PTSD begin?

While there is no clear indication or timeline to when PTSD symptoms begin; it often leads to a dangerous path once it appears. Since every person is different and the traumatic experiences they have suffered vary in terms of severity, it is hard to have a clear timeframe for when PTSD is diagnosed. Symptoms can show up three months after the trauma, or it could be months or years later that PTSD symptoms occur for the first time or again. If the symptoms continue for more than a couple of months and are continuously affecting the person’s daily life, then the person will be diagnosed with PTSD.

The length of how long the symptoms continue also varies, as some symptoms are diagnosed more quickly than others. Some symptoms are also resolved more quickly, while others are left unnoticed and progress well into their adult lives. The psychiatrist or psychologist might conduct a full mental health evaluation of the person to determine the cause of the PTSD and determine the full treatment for the trauma. The earlier we can detect these symptoms, the earlier we are encouraged by therapists to go to a medical facility to reduce the ongoing symptoms. It is important to solve PTSD as soon as possible, before it becomes more disabling and cause more emotional harm.

PTSD is definitely treatable. As we read in earlier chapters, if PTSD is left untreated it can have many tragic effects in adult lives. It breeds new pathways to different mental disorders and addictions. This could be alcohol addiction, irrational fears, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, and depression and long term anxiety, just to name a few. Proper treatment of PTSD depends on early detection and quick intervention that helps reduce the severity of the symptoms and stop them before it is too late. Traumatic experiences often stunt the person’s emotional growth and mental progress. It has many negative regressive effects on brain development, and can lead to an inability to concentrate.

In some cases, people are prescribed medications, such as anxiety medicines or antidepressants to help them feel more relaxed and to reduce the symptoms of PTSD. A person’s recovery from these traumatic experiences often heavily depends on the support from family and friends to recover fully.