PTSD Can Double Veterans' Dementia Risk
By Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
A 2010 study found that veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are twice as likely to get dementia later in life than
veterans who don’t suffer from PTSD.
The researchers analyzed data from 181,093 veterans who were 55 years or older without dementia. Among these veterans, 53,155
had PTSD and 127,938 did not have it. A seven-year follow-up showed that 10.6 percent of the veterans with PTSD developed dementia
while only 6.6 percent of those without PTSD developed cognitive impairment.
By fiscal year 2005, PTSD ranked as the fourth most common service-related disability
among veterans receiving benefits.
A 2008 study from the Rand Corporation reported that one in five soldiers returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan have symptoms of PTSD or depression.
Researchers suggest that the 7.7 million American adults who have PTSD have be subject to a similar risk.
Getting therapy for PTSD is important. One treatment technique is called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
This technique involves patients bringing up emotionally troubling memories while their eyes follfw a trained therapist’s hand movements.
Following a specific protocol, the clinician helps the patient minimize negative thoughts and reactions about the traumatic event or events.
EMDR has been declared a first line treatment by the US Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs, and the mental health departments of Northern Ireland, and of Israel.
Many studies have shown EMDR useful for treating PTSD. Carlson, et al. (1998) reported that after twelve treatment sessions 77.7% of the combat veterans no longer met criteria for PTSD. There were no dropouts and effects were maintained at 3 and 9 month followup.
References (To view, roll mouse over the "References" heading; to hide, click on the heading)
Carlson, J., Chemtob, C.M., Rusnak, K., Hedlund, N.L, & Muraoka, M.Y. (1998). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11, 3-24.
Silver, S.M., Brooks, A., & Obenchain, J. (1995). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment of Vietnam war veterans with PTSD: Comparative effects with biofeedback and relaxation training. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8, 337-342.
For Acute Stress Disorder and Acute PTSD (Iraqi War Veterans on the battlefield or within days of evacuation)
Russell, M.C. (2006). Treating combat-related stress disorders: A multiple case study utilizing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with battlefield casualties from the Iraqi war. Military Psychology, 18, 1-18.
Wesson, M. & Gould, M. (2009). Intervening early with EMDR on military operations: A case study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 3, 91-97.
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