According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 (DSM 5), the lifetime risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder is 8.7% and the 12-month prevalence among U.S. adults is about 3.5%. The U.S. seems to have a higher incidence compared to other nations in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America whose numbers settle around 1%.
Rates of PTSD are higher among veterans and those who have chosen vocations that increase their risk of exposure to traumatic events including firefighters, police, and emergency medical personnel. The highest rates are among individuals who have experienced highly-traumatic events such as rape, military combat and captivity, and ethically or politically motivated internment and genocide.
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The Older Adult
The prevalence of full-threshold PTSD appears to be lower among older adults compared with the rest of the population. Subthreshold presentations are more common than full PTSD later in life, especially to older adult years. Symptoms related to later-life PTSD are associated with substantial clinical impairment. Symptoms of PTSD can occur at any age and usually begin within the first three months after the trauma took place. There may be a delay in symptoms for months or even years and is known as “Delayed Expression”. Symptoms and duration will vary over time.
Complete recovery within three months occurs for almost half of adults who have PTSD. Some individuals remain symptomatic for over 12 months and even up to 50 years. For the older adult, declining health, worsening cognitive function and social isolation may all exacerbate PTSD symptoms. Individuals who continue to experience PTSD into older adulthood may express fewer symptoms of hyperarousal, avoidance, and negative cognitions and mood although older adults who experience PTSD later in life may display these symptoms. In older adults, PTSD is more often associated with negative health perceptions, primary care utilization, and suicidal ideation.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is more prevalent among females whom symptoms may last longer than in males. The length of symptoms is based on very traumatic experiences such as rape and interpersonal violence. The risk of suicide, including both suicidal ideation and attempts, is higher among individuals diagnosed with PTSD.
The Need for Trauma-Informed Care
Recently, there has been a push to educate healthcare professionals in senior care due to the recognition of post-traumatic stress disorder among seniors living in a variety of care settings. In some states, this type of training is now mandatory. Seniors who have experienced traumatic events in their lives including war, terror, torture, incarceration as a prisoner of war, natural or man-made disaster, being kidnapped or experienced a severe vehicle accident may be suffering from symptoms such as intrusive memories, terrifying dreams, dissociation or flash backs, and intense psychological stress and need clinical intervention and treatment. Thank goodness, senior care communities are now focusing on these forgotten seniors and are striving to improve their quality of life.
(NOTE: Interested in learning more about Behavioral and Mental Health? Checkout my Behavioral and Mental Health CEUs on CEU Academy and try a FREE CEU today!)