EFFECTS OF PTSD ON AGE RELATED ILLNESS

While it is typical of people with PTSD to experience horrible symptoms that impair day to day life, it doesn't only stop at that. People with PTSD are more likely to be susceptible to other disorders and issues in later life. In a recent study conducted by the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, it has been found that people with PTSD caused by war are more likely to develop dementia in their old age. Dementia is a syndrome related to loss of brain function which effects memory, language, and problem solving and is often related to aging and the elderly. The studies conducted by Dr. Mark Kunik included 10,481 veterans over the age of sixty five. Though the research, it was found that 7.2% of the patients with PTSD had dementia while only 4.5% of patients without PTSD developed dementia. The results are depressing but also did not shock me. Both illnesses deal with mental acuity and psychological well being. The study is new and needs more development to fully understand the relationship between the two.

Like Dementia, PTSD is often late onset and unfortunately can increase with age. As many of these symptoms deal with insecurities or fears with health decline in later age, a veteran may feel as if they are weakened and vulnerable in war. Also being retired leaves the elderly with more time to think about past traumas. Many veterans with PTSD abuse substances such as drugs or alcohol, but once they stop in later life it can sometimes bring back the stresses of PTSD. As an elder's friends and loved ones around him or her begin to die it may also trigger feelings of loss that one may have had in combat. All these stresses and reversions can be very taxing on the elderly and can cause serious depression and decline in quality of life.

For both dementia and PTSD it is recommended that one stays fit and exercises on a regular basis. This can be very difficult for the elderly as many are not physically well enough. However, simple activities that can make a person feel strong and meaningful could be very beneficial. Staying active physically, socially, and mentally is very important for both disorders and could really help keep cognition and happiness in later life.

sources:

http://www.americangeriatrics.org/press/news_press_releases/id:1126/

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd-older-vets.asp

Ruskin, Paul E & Talbot, John A. Aging and Posttraumatic Stress disorder. Washington DC. American Psychiatric Press,Inc. 1996.

TREATMENT & CARE

I first became interested in the subject of Post traumatic stress disorder after reading historical fiction, Regeneration by Pat Barker. The author describes several soldiers from WWI who experience PTSD and are put in a mental institution. This telling novel illustrates the attitude towards and treatment of the disorder at the time. Rather than trying to acclimate the soldiers back into society, the main goal is to make the soldier well enough to return to battle as soon as possible. While one sensitive psychiatrist encourages the soldiers to retell their war horrors to heal, an aggressive doctor forces his patients to experience painful electroshock therapy. The method of electroshock therapy is insensitive and crude, used to create the “quickest” way to recovery. As a result the patients simply become a number rather than humans with free will or thought, revealing the common careless attitude towards the disorder at the time.

The idea behind Electroshock therapy is that it erases and shocks some of your memories away. There have been several accounts of depression and confusion, post electroshock therapy. Electro shock therapy also works on a system where the patient must return for continuous shock appointments, leading the patients to become dependent on such a numbing method. The treatment also induces seizures which can be too physically taxing on an elderly person.

Electroshock therapy is still used today but considered controversial and only to be used in extreme cases. The government has centers for veterans supported by a group called the VA. Treatments on the VA website include cognitive therapy and exposure therapy which both include discussing and realizing your fears. Medication and group therapy are also encouraged by the VA. Unfortunately, the website states “we provide no direct clinical care,” suggesting that in order to receive treatment, the patients may have to pay for the medical expenses. Many people who have PTSD are unable to work or keep a steady job with the disorder and may not have enough money to receive the medical care needed. Also in the elderly, nursing homes may not all be sensitive to the needs of an inhabitant living with PTSD. While the VA does have veteran nursing homes, it still costs money. There is a program for benefits to help pay for such nursing homes but only 1 in 4 seniors in the country qualify for the income program. In my opinion these nursing homes should be free and readily available for all veterans, especially those diagnosed with PTSD.

For the elderly who are unable to live in nursing homes designed specifically for veterans, it can be difficult. Nurses often do not focus on psychological issues but mostly on physical ailments. The nurses should be made aware that the effects of PTSD can worsen over time. There is also a large percentage of veterans who have late on-set PTSD. Independent of the level of trauma, the negative effects of PTSD are much worse on the elderly. The elderly are much more vulnerable as often they are already experiencing cognitive decline.

sources:

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/about/index.asp

http://www.longtermcarelink.net/ref_state_veterans_va_nursing_homes.htm

AN INTRODUCTION TO POST TRAUMATIC STRES DISORDER

Over six decades have passed since the World War II era and the youth of the time are in their later years of life. As one of the first modern wars, World War II had an immeasurable impact on the neurological well being of the citizens. One such neurological disorder resulting form the war is post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD can be defined as “a psychological reaction occurring after experiencing a highly stressing event (as wartime combat, physical violence, or a natural disaster) that is usually characterized by depression, anxiety, flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, and avoidance of reminders of the event” (Merriam Webster.) While the disorder is often related to more recent wars such as the Vietnam or Iraq war, there are actually many undocumented instances of PTSD in WWII veterans. At the time admitting to a disorder was much more stigmatized and simply unheard of or undiagnosed.

In a video interview, WWII American veteran Bob Thrasher describes the effect of PTSD in his life. He mentions not talking about his war stories, showing how veterans from the era perhaps were discouraged from discussing the horrors of war. He addresses that post-traumatic stress disorder was not considered after the war, as his superiors would yell “son of a bitch …get back to the front…yellow bellied coward.” Such repressed memories can cause depression and confusion. His descriptions of killing are the most vivid illustrations he provides, and his repetition of killing women and children, reveals the regret and disturbing memories created from war. He then discusses “doing stupid things” in his later years, without understanding why or having control over his actions, further demonstrating the effect of PTSD on his day to day life.

Unfortunately, Bob Thrasher is one of hundreds of elderly veterans suffering from PTSD, many of which are undiagnosed or treated. With the lack of knowledge on the subject post WWII, the veterans were unable to receive treatment at an earlier stage. As a result many veterans live with the disorder unknowingly, causing confusion and depression. This depression can lead to substance abuse and isolation creating a much more turbulent life that could lead to health issues in aging.

In a study performed by the American Geriatrics Society, Dr. Land Rintamaki found that PTSD usually is exacerbated after retirement. More than fifty percent of the veterans in the study stated that symptoms worsened post retirement. Perhaps this could be related to the fact that with less time spent on working in old age, one's mind wanders to the disturbing parts of his or her life. Also in old age, the elderly often lose people who could have provided mental support such as a spouse or comrade.

source:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96AW-435J8E

herald times online multimedia

Stephens, Marry Ann Paris. Stress and Coping in Later Life Families. New York. Heisphere Publishing Corporation. 1990.

Lurie, Elinore E. Serving the Mentally Ill Eldery. Massachusetts. Lexington Books. 1987.

Hunt, Linda. Past Trauma in Late Life. London and Bristol. Jessica Kingsley publishers. 1997.

Ruskin, Paul E. Aging and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Washington DC. American Psychiatric Press, Inc. 1996.