As his team was crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, his cell phone rang. On the morning of September 11th, 2001, thirty-one-year old K9 officer Jonathan Figueroa was told to head down to the burning World Trade Center. Nevertheless, many law enforcement officers with no obvious previous symptoms do develop PTSD months or even years after a traumatic event.Īs an example of delayed onset PTSD, here is the story of a police officer that developed the disorder five years after 9/11… They also suggest that the PTSD sufferer delayed getting help for months or years, not that the PTSD itself was delayed. Yet some mental health professionals argue that the individual must have had symptoms early on, but didn’t recognize them. That could mean months or even years later. It states that symptoms first appear at least six months after the traumatic event. This phenomenon is called “delayed onset PTSD,” according to the therapist’s diagnostic bible known as the DSM-IV-TR.

There are studies of World War II veterans and victims of motor vehicle accidents that say Yes. I can’t do this anymore.”Ĭan you develop Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) months or even years after a traumatic event like 9/11? Without showing any previous symptoms? “I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t think, I feel sick. Kates, BCECR, MFAW Author of CopShock, Second Edition: Surviving Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Įditor’s note: Be sure to also read the new Police1 Series, “Tips for keeping it together after a bad call”

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