This blog was originally published on Feb 1, 2024. It has been updated to include the most recent information and research.
It’s natural to feel unsettled, experience distressing memories, or have difficulty sleeping after going through a traumatic event. During the initial aftermath, everyday tasks — going to work, attending school, or spending time with loved ones — can feel overwhelming. However, for most people, these feelings improve within a few weeks as they begin to recover.
For some individuals, though, the symptoms of trauma linger. If distressing thoughts and feelings continue for more than a month and begin to interfere with daily life, it could indicate the presence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that develops in some people after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or deeply traumatic event.
When these symptoms persist for months, PTSD may be diagnosed. Unlike acute trauma, which is a short-term response, PTSD is a chronic condition. The disorder is about more than just a person’s reaction to trauma; it has long-term effects that, without proper treatment, can disrupt various aspects of life. In most cases, PTSD develops shortly after experiencing a traumatic event, but not always.
At first, an individual may not meet the actual diagnostic criteria for PTSD and be suffering from a condition known as subthreshold PTSD. Over time, the symptoms may intensify until they do surpass the threshold for diagnosis. This process can take years. In other cases of delayed-onset PTSD, research shows that the occurrence of additional life stressors, such as the death of a loved one or other traumatic events, can increase the likelihood for someone to be diagnosed with PTSD in response to a prior traumatic experience. Neurobiological mechanisms have also been shown to play a role in delayed-onset PTSD.
In contrast, ketamine works much faster, often showing improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms almost immediately after administration. Its rapid onset can provide critical relief for individuals with severe PTSD, especially those experiencing suicidal thoughts. This makes ketamine a valuable option for managing symptoms while waiting for other treatments to take full effect.
It’s natural to feel unsettled, experience distressing memories, or have difficulty sleeping after going through a traumatic event. During the initial aftermath, everyday tasks — going to work, attending school, or spending time with loved ones — can feel overwhelming. However, for most people, these feelings improve within a few weeks as they begin to recover.
For some individuals, though, the symptoms of trauma linger. If distressing thoughts and feelings continue for more than a month and begin to interfere with daily life, it could indicate the presence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that develops in some people after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening or deeply traumatic event.
When these symptoms persist for months, PTSD may be diagnosed. Unlike acute trauma, which is a short-term response, PTSD is a chronic condition. The disorder is about more than just a person’s reaction to trauma; it has long-term effects that, without proper treatment, can disrupt various aspects of life. In most cases, PTSD develops shortly after experiencing a traumatic event, but not always.
What Is Delayed-Onset PTSD?
Can PTSD develop years after a traumatic event? The simple answer is yes, it can. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be as unique as the person who suffers from it and can emerge only months or even years after the traumatic event that triggered it. If PTSD is diagnosed six months or more after the traumatic experience itself, it is known as delayed-onset PTSD. There is little research on the subject, but one study suggests that it occurs in as many as one quarter of all PTSD cases.At first, an individual may not meet the actual diagnostic criteria for PTSD and be suffering from a condition known as subthreshold PTSD. Over time, the symptoms may intensify until they do surpass the threshold for diagnosis. This process can take years. In other cases of delayed-onset PTSD, research shows that the occurrence of additional life stressors, such as the death of a loved one or other traumatic events, can increase the likelihood for someone to be diagnosed with PTSD in response to a prior traumatic experience. Neurobiological mechanisms have also been shown to play a role in delayed-onset PTSD.
PTSD Symptoms as the Result of Other Conditions
PTSD can also go hand in hand with other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. These so-called comorbid conditions exacerbate each other and create a negative cycle that worsens symptoms over time. Conditions like depression or addiction can even be a cause of PTSD symptoms that emerge years later.Ketamine Treatment for PTSD
Trauma-focused psychotherapy, which helps patients process and manage traumatic memories, is the standard treatment for PTSD. However, it often takes several weeks to show results, and some individuals may not respond to it. For those who don’t benefit from psychotherapy alone, antidepressants are often prescribed in combination with therapy. However, these medications can take several weeks or longer to work.In contrast, ketamine works much faster, often showing improvements in PTSD and depression symptoms almost immediately after administration. Its rapid onset can provide critical relief for individuals with severe PTSD, especially those experiencing suicidal thoughts. This makes ketamine a valuable option for managing symptoms while waiting for other treatments to take full effect.
