Delayed onset post-traumatic stress disorder is an underreported condition in World War II veterans. There is little agreement about the etiology of this syndrome. Two cases of post-traumatic stress disorder in World War II veterans whose individual onset was delayed for over 30 years are described. These veterans developed the symptoms associated with the stresses of late life including bereavement, social isolation and chronic medical illness. Theories regarding the etiology of this syndrome are reviewed and a hypothesis suggesting a heterogeneous condition is presented.
WatsonC.G., KucalaT., ManifoldV.Differences between post traumatic stress disorder patients with delayed and undelayed onsets.J Nerv Ment Dis1988; 176: 568–572.
4.
ArchibaldH.C., TuddenhamR.D.: Persistent stress reaction after combat; a 20 year follow-up.Arch Gen Psychiatry1965; 12: 475–481.
5.
ChristensonR.M., WalkerJ.I., RossD.R.Reactivation of traumatic conflicts.Am J Psychiatry1981; 138: 984–985.
6.
Van DykeC., ZilbergN.J., McKinnonJ.A.Post traumatic stress disorder; a 30 Year Delay in a World War II Veteran.Am J Psychiatry1985; 142: 1070–1073.
7.
RichmondJ.S., BeckJ.C.Post traumatic stress disorder in a World War II veteran.Am J Psychiatry198?; 143: 1485–1486.
8.
PomerantzA.S.Delayed onset of PTSD; delayed recognition or latent disorder?Am J Psychiatry1991; 148: 1609.
9.
RamchandaniD.Distinguishing features of delayed onset post traumatic stress disorder.Bull Menninger Clin1990; 54: 247–254.
ParyR., TurnsD.M., TobiasC.R.A case of delayed recognition of post traumatic stress disorder.Am J Psychiatry1986; 143: 941.
12.
SolomonZ., KotierN., ShalevA.Delayed onset PTSD among Israeli veterans of the 1982 Lebanon War.Psychiatry1989; 52: 428–436.
13.
AtkinsonR.M., HendersonR.G., SparrL.F.Assessment of Vietnam veterans for post traumatic stress disorder in Veterans Administration disability claims.Am J Psychiatry1982; 136: 1118–1121.
14.
SparrL.F., PankratzL.D.Factitious post traumatic stress disorder.Am J Psychiatry1983; 140: 1016–1019.
15.
McFarlaneA.C.The longitudinal course of post traumatic morbidity; the range of outcomes and their predictors.J Nerv Ment Dis1988; 176: 30–39.
16.
LacoursiereR.B., GodfreyK.E., RubyL.M.Traumatic neurosis in the etiology of alcoholism; Vietnam combat and other trauma.Am J Psychiatry1980; 137: 966–968.
17.
LiptonM.I., SchafferW.R.Post traumatic stress disorder in the older veteran.Mil Med1986; 151: 522–524.
18.
WellsB.G., ChuC., JohnsonR.Buspirone in the treatment of post traumatic stress disorder.Pharmacotherapy1991; 11: 340–343.
19.
KluznikJ.C., SpeedN., Van ValkenbergerC.Forty year follow up of United States prisoners of war.Am J Psychiatry1986; 143: 1443–1446.
