POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN ELDERLY WAR VETERANS

Despite it being 50 years since the end of hostilities, a significant number of Second World War (WW2) veterans suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its associated comorbidities. The prevalence, pre sentation, course and treatment of this disorder is examined. This exa mination reveals that PTSD is underdiagnosed in WW2 veterans. Although limited information is available concerning treatment, a broad biopsy chosocial approach may be beneficial. The stressors of late life, lead ing to exacerbation of PTSD, are of particular relevance in this group .