Of the 240 years that the United States has existed, 93% of that time has been spent at war. As conflicts come and go, those who served in the military also cycle in and out of service to find the next stage of what life will bring.
According to a 2012 U.S. Census brief, veterans over the age of 65 number somewhere around 12.4 million men and women. With current conflicts and political climates around the world, it is likely that we’ll see more service members retiring with senior veteran PTSD.
PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder develops in some people who have experienced a shocking, extremely violent, or dangerous event. For those with PTSD, certain things may trigger split-second reactions aimed at helping an individual avoid danger – even when there is no actual threat. Since these quick reactions are often part of the training received before entering combat, many people retain these reflexes well beyond their experience of warfare.
Although not every person who has experienced trauma will suffer from chronic, or even acute PTSD, those who do develop the disorder risk having it interfere with their well-being for the long-term. According to the National Institutes of Health, being diagnosed with PTSD means someone must have the following:
- At least one re-experiencing symptom
- At least one avoidance symptom
- At least two arousal and reactivity symptoms
- At least two cognition and mood symptoms
Reactivity symptoms can including flashbacks of the trauma, essentially replaying the situation in one’s mind involuntarily. This can also include bad dreams, and other frightening thoughts while awake. Sometimes certain words, objects, or situations will trigger these symptoms seemingly out of nowhere.
Senior veterans living with PTSD should know there are resources available to them.
Additionally, senior veteran PTSD can cause general feelings of anxiety, depression, result in angry outbursts, trouble sleeping, and sometimes even reflexive violence. This is no way live, especially for senior veterans looking to enjoy their retirement and lead a healthy life.
Treating Senior Veteran PTSD
If your or a senior loved one is suffering from PTSD, there are a number of basic treatment options available and ways to find available veterans’ assistance. Since many older adults find themselves taking several medications at once, most would prefer to avoid another daily pill when possible. Many turn to things like psychotherapy or talk therapy, which serves to identify the root of the trauma in order to develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Of course, when traditional psychotherapeutic methods aren’t quite yielding the results needed, turning to medications may become necessary to a certain degree. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to minimize feelings of sadness, worry, anger, and emotional numbness. As a word of caution, always check with your doctor to see if a medication is right for you and don’t hesitate to prepare a list of questions regarding a substance’s safety for seniors ahead of an appointment.
It’s not always easy to find a definitive cure for senior veteran PTSD, but with professional guidance and learning ways this disorder can be treated, the hope is that more senior veterans can lead healthier, more stable lives.
