Over 65

PTSD in elderly people usually results from exactly the same reasons as any other age group, for example as a result of being a victim of crime or violence. Very occasionally it can result from problems earlier in life. Symptoms may be persistent or intermittent, and the disorder may be time-limited or chronic. Increasing severity of trauma and premorbid psychiatric illness predispose to the development of PTSD, and certain personality traits and good psychosocial support protect against it.

Elderly people do not appear more predisposed than young persons to develop PTSD, and symptoms of the disorder are similar to those in younger people. Treatment is identical to that of younger people although no research has been carried out on the treatment of PTSD in the elderly.

Amended June 2008