PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) in Later Life

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a stress reaction characterized by symptoms of reexperiencing, avoidance/numbing, and hyperarousal following 1 month or more an exposure to extreme trauma. In recent years, there has been a spate of studies and meta-analyses on the assessment and treatment of this disorder. However, the variable of age in the context of treatment has not been adequately addressed. In addition, little data exist regarding the role of aging as a mediating or moderating influence in the expression of trauma. We do not yet know the importance of a life lived, one’s life history, and how this might affect any current trauma. Importantly too, clinical data of client-treatment factors with elders are lacking. That said, we have apt models of treatment for other age groups and can reasonably export empirically supported principles for older adults.