PTSD Bytes 42: PTSD Later in Life

In this episode of the PTSD Bytes podcast, host Dr. Colleen Becket-Davenport discusses PTSD and aging, as well as potential treatment options, with Dr. Jennifer Moye, a geropsychologist at VA Boston, a professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and a contributor to the Talking Later podcast, which focuses on PTSD in later life.

Delayed onset of PTSD symptoms

In general, PTSD is less common among older adults. One reason may be because older adults can develop resilience as they cope with life’s challenges, which can lead to better management of PTSD symptoms.

However, while some people develop PTSD symptoms immediately after a traumatic event—like combat—others do not experience symptoms until later in life. Sometimes PTSD symptoms show up decades after the event has occurred. This can happen alongside life changes, such as retirement. If spending less time busy with work and other daily responsibilities, there may be more time available for self-reflection.

This can sometimes bring traumatic memories to the surface that were previously suppressed by the distractions of work and daily life. Aging-related events and situations can lead to new triggers, such as developing a health condition or going through the grief of losing a loved one. These life events can lead to feelings of vulnerability or be reminiscent of losing someone in military service, which can increase the odds that PTSD symptoms will appear.

Later adulthood trauma reengagement

Later adulthood trauma reengagement is a process by which older adults reflect on their traumatic experiences as they review their life as a whole. For many people, reengagement is recognizing that they have avoided thinking about a traumatic event because it is upsetting. But older adults frequently look back on past experiences and memories in order to make sense of them.

This process can help individuals find meaning in their experiences, but it may also resurface PTSD symptoms, like nightmares. Some older Veterans find it difficult to ask for help because they either lived with their symptoms for so long or they fear facing painful memories. However, sharing their story with someone else can lead to a sense of relief and unburdening.

Helpful treatment avenues

It’s never too late to seek treatment, and significant healing can occur at any age. PTSD treatments that work for younger adults are also effective for older adults. Therapists can consider making small adjustments, such as using voice amplifiers or magnifying glasses for Veterans with hearing and vision impairments to help make treatment more accessible for older adults.

Several digital resources may also be helpful for older adults living with PTSD. Podcasts such as theTalking Later: Veteran Stories of Late Life PTSD feature voice actors reading stories from real Veterans’ life stories. More information about PTSD and aging can be found on the National Center for PTSD website. The National Center for PTSD’s booklet Understanding PTSD and Aging can be viewed online or printed, and offers helpful insights for Veterans, families and clinicians.

Additional links

• More resources for older adults, mental health, and technology: PTSD Bytes Episode #24: Older Adults and Mental Health apps.
• Learn more about VA mental health apps: www.ptsd.va.gov/mobile.
• Find mental health treatment at VA: www.mentalhealth.va.gov/get-help/local-care.asp.
• Find mental health treatment outside of VA: www.FindTreatment.gov.
• More PTSD Bytes episodes.

If you are a Veteran who is experiencing a crisis or supporting a loved one who is, call 988 and press 1 for immediate assistance, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/chat.