[Psychological consequences of earlier and acute traumatization in the elderly. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapy].

BACKGROUND: The general scientific literature of psychotraumatology does not pay regard to people older than 60 years, although the generation of children who experienced World War II in Europe was severely affected. In addition, there is the possibility of acute traumatic experiences in old age.

METHODS: Based on a literature search, we provide a survey of the symptomatology of acute and earlier trauma in older people and of the psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment options.

CONCLUSION: It is essential to establish a careful differential diagnosis to distinguish somatization from trauma reactivation in the elderly. The prognosis regarding relief of post-traumatic stress symptoms by trauma-exposing methods appears to be as good as in middle-aged adults; however, limitations on the patient's side should be taken into consideration.