Delayed emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the development of characteristic symptoms following a psychologically distressing event that is outside the range of usual human experience. A Chinese male with a delayed onset, non-combat post-traumatic stress disorder is described and discussed. This is an unusual case because the symptoms were reexperienced four years after a life threatening vehicular accident. The patient responded to a combination of antidepressant treatment and individual psychotherapy. He remained well on follow up one year later.