Delayed stress reaction is a delayed mental disorder caused by stressful events or situations, also known as post-traumatic stress disorder. The stressor often has an exceptionally shocking or catastrophic nature, causing the patient to experience profound sorrow or grief. There is a latent period before the onset of mental symptoms, and the condition generally develops within weeks to months after the stimulus.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

1. has suffered from definite and unusually severe trauma.
2. Time of symptom onset: within 6 months after the trauma.
3. Main manifestations: history of event stimulation, only repeated traumatic experiences, dreams or nightmares, no contact with others; anhedonia; avoidance of memories of the traumatic situation; spontaneous hypervigilance, increased startle response and insomnia, possible personality changes. The course fluctuates and most can recover, while a few cases may last for several years.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

1. Psychotherapy: Psychogenic mental disorders are all caused by obvious and intense psychological and social stressors. Therefore, psychotherapy holds significant importance. Efforts should be made to establish a good doctor-patient relationship during interactions with the patient, engaging in conversations. Analyze the onset process with the patient, provide explanations, and guide them on how to cope with stressors and eliminate them. At the same time, offer strong psychological and social support to buffer the patient's traumatic reactions and help them build confidence to overcome the illness.
2. Environmental Therapy: Whenever possible, leave or change the environment to eliminate traumatic experiences and accelerate symptom relief.
3. Pharmacotherapy: For those experiencing anxiety and restlessness, hypnotics and anxiolytics can be selected to prolong physiological sleep and strengthen internal inhibitory processes. Commonly used medications include diazepam, estazolam, and chloral hydrate. Care must be taken to avoid excessive or long-term use.

bubble_chart Differentiation

It needs to be differentiated from depression and anxiety neurosis.