Delayed Onset PTSD Treatment

What Is Delayed-Onset PTSD?

Delayed-onset post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or PTSD with delayed expression, is a type of PTSD that develops at least six months after exposure to the traumatic event.

Delayed-Onset PTSD vs. Regular PTSD

Individuals are often diagnosed with traditional PTSD when they experience trauma soon after a traumatic event (often within a few weeks to months). In contrast, those with delayed-onset PTSD may not exhibit or experience symptoms until at least six months after the traumatic event—in some cases, symptoms can appear many years later.

Key Characteristics of Delayed-Onset PTSD

Those experiencing delayed-onset PTSD may exhibit a combination of the following:

• Flashbacks, nightmares, vivid memories of the event.
• Withdrawing socially from certain places, people or situations that trigger unwanted memories.
• Feeling numb, detached, or experiencing mood swings.
• Feeling dizziness, chest pain, or other physical sensations.
• Feeling easily startled, anxious, irritable, or depressed.

Delayed-Onset PTSD Symptoms

Delayed-onset PTSD causes a combination of intense emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms months or years after the traumatic event.

Emotional Symptoms

• Feeling detached or numb.
• Intense fear or anxiety.
• Difficulty regulating emotions.
• Feeling irritable and angry.
• Feeling guilt and self-blame.
• Social withdrawal.

Physical Symptoms

• Sleep problems (e.g., excessive fatigue, insomnia, nightmares).
• Increased heart rate.
• Muscle tension, dizziness, headaches.
• Stomach upset.
• Hypervigilance.

Cognitive Symptoms

• Flashbacks and intrusive memories.
• Difficulty remembering, concentrating, and making decisions.
• Negative thought patterns.
• Distorted perceptions of danger.
• Ruminating about the traumatic event.

Causes of Delayed-Onset PTSD

Researchers are still uncertain about why some people develop delayed-onset PTSD while others do not. However, certain factors may contribute to symptoms emerging long after the initial traumatic event. They include:

• Experiencing additional stress (e.g., divorce, loss of loved one, job loss, chronic medical conditions, or financial struggles).
• Living through another traumatic event (e.g., car accident, natural disaster, loss of a loved one, etc.).
• Worsening of existing symptoms that did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD.

Delayed Reactions: How Trauma Takes Time to Surface

Many people can effectively compartmentalize trauma and shut away feelings for extended periods. However, they can (and often do) resurface following additional life stressors or a second traumatic event.

Additionally, trauma may take longer to surface in individuals who were traumatized as a child. Childhood trauma can manifest in many ways in adulthood, including:

• Mental health disorders.
• Substance use disorders.
• Behavioral and physical health issues.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Emotional dysregulation.
• Unhealthy attachment patterns.

Factors Contributing to Delayed PTSD

• Genetics
  • Stress response genes, particularly those that control cortisol.
  • Neurotransmitter genes, particularly those that control serotonin and dopamine.
  • Inflammatory genes, particularly those that control the immune system and brain health.
  • Family history.
  • Epigenetics, particularly those agitated by environmental factors.
  • Family history.
    
• Environment
  • Lack of social support.
  • Ongoing life stressors.
  • Socioeconomic disadvantage.
  • Change of employment or job loss.
  • Family dysfunction.
  • Limited access to mental healthcare.
    
• Personality
  Individuals who tend to avoid thinking about or addressing difficult emotions, strive to stay in control, focus on the negative or expect the worst, or those who are naturally more reactive to stress might initially cope well with trauma, but become overwhelmed over time.

Delayed-Onset PTSD Diagnosis

How Delayed-Onset PTSD Is Diagnosed

A mental health professional can diagnose delayed-onset PTSD if a person meets all criteria noted in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) book by the American Psychiatric Association at least six months following exposure to a traumatic event.

Common Tools and Assessments for Diagnosis

The criteria for delayed-onset PTSD disorder include:

• Meeting all diagnostic criteria for post traumatic stress disorder.
• Meeting these criteria six months or more after exposure to the traumatic event.

To diagnose this subtype, our licensed therapists may ask you to complete a self-assessment in the form of a questionnaire. Once they have a general understanding of your symptoms, they will perform a screening assessment and structured clinical interview to understand the cause of your symptoms and determine the best treatment options.

Importance of Timely Diagnosis and Treatment

PTSD with delayed expression may begin with mild or unnoticeable symptoms, but can quickly escalate into severe anxiety, depression, or even dangerous behavioral issues if left untreated.

Early intervention and treatment are crucial for stopping symptom progression and lowering your risk of co-occurring complications like substance misuse, physical health problems, relationship issues, and more.

Delayed-Onset PTSD Treatment Options

Psychological Treatments

Beach House offers specific treatment options that focus on addressing delayed-onset PTSD symptoms. Our licensed therapists have undergone specific training to help individuals address trauma. However, the best approach depends on your unique preferences and needs. Delayed-onset PTSD treatment options include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  CBT for PTSD focuses on challenging negative irrational thoughts, reframing thinking patterns, and processing the traumatic events that led to the diagnosis.
  
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  EMDR for PTSD helps you decrease the impact and severity of related PTSD symptoms through external stimuli and engaging eye movement exercises.

Medication

Your healthcare provider or mental health professional may prescribe one or more of the following medications along with delayed-onset PTSD treatment, depending on your unique symptoms:

• Antidepressants
• Antianxiety medications
• Sleep aids
• Mood stabilizers
• Atypical antipsychotics (for severe symptoms)

Lifestyle Changes and Coping Strategies for Managing Symptoms

In addition to therapy and medication, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following lifestyle changes and coping strategies to support longer-term healing:

• Eat a healthy diet.
• Limit sugar, caffeine, and sodium.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Exercise 30 minutes per day, three to five times per week.
• Get seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
• Establish and keep to a daily routine.
• Know when to ask for help by paying attention to signs of stress, depression, anxiety, or substance misuse.

Get Help Today: Start Your Journey to Healing

If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of delayed-onset PTSD, we can help. Our center for recovery is one of Florida’s most respected mental health treatment centers. We specialize in treating a range of adult mental and behavioral health disorders.

Choosing the Right PTSD Specialist

We offer expert, intensive, intervention for those seeking freedom from PTSD and its many subtypes. Contact our admissions counselors to learn more about our treatments and how to get started on your path to healing today.