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Post: One Senior Place: PTSD can affect seniors who have health issues, have lost loved ones

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One Senior Place: PTSD can affect seniors who have health issues, have lost loved ones
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Q: Can PTSD affect seniors?

A: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has thankfully lost its stigma and is more readily discussed now than ever before.

Once considered only in the context of military veterans, PTSD can impact people of all ages and walks of life.

It often affects seniors differently, as they may be dealing not only with trauma — but also the stressors that accompany aging.

With passing years, older adults may experience a resurgence of PTSD symptoms, even if managed well earlier in life.

Cognitive decline, retirement, health issues and increased isolation can all act as triggers.

Previous One Senior Place columns:

Future planning: Social Security should be part of your future financial planning

Don’t go broke: Setting up your finances can help stave off worry of running out of money Summer is here. Make sure you wear sunscreen to reduce risk of skin cancer Lisa Conway PTSD — Defined The Mayo Clinic defines post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as "a mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event."The National Center for PTSD estimates "about six out of every 100 people will experience PTSD at some point in their lives. Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men." Cognitive decline and PTSD Aging can lead to cognitive decline, or the gradual loss of thinking abilities. Memory issues can exacerbate flashbacks and intrusive thoughts, as the brain struggles to differentiate between past trauma and present reality. This can heighten anxiety and confusion, making daily life challenging. Retirement and identity Loss After working a lifetime, people can experience a profound sense of loss in retirement.Without a familiar sense of identity, purpose and community, seniors may feel isolated and adrift — leading to the re-emergence of trauma-related memories and feelings. Health issues Chronic health problems can exacerbate PTSD, with trauma responses triggered by the stress of managing illnesses and pain.Hospital environments or medical procedures may remind individuals of traumatic experiences, leading to increased symptoms. Isolation […]

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