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Increasing numbers of World War II and Korean War
veterans are displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
linked to severe dementia. In many cases, paranoid 're-enactments' of
combat situations have caused veterans to inflict serious harm on family
members. PTSD was first brought to public attention as returning
Vietnam veterans began to complain of paranoia,
sleeplessness, anxiety, and mental 'flashbacks' to traumatizing combat
situations. PTSD sufferers often become withdrawn from others or display
'avoidance behaviors' -- staying away from objects and situations that
could trigger PTSD symptoms. The North Carolina researcher estimates that
there are now over 12 million WWII and Korean War veterans living in the
US, with about 600,000 at risk for developing dementia. This makes the
diagnosis and treatment of PTSD in mentally ill veterans of pressing importance
in an aging population.
Journal of the American
Geriatrics Society January 2000;48:70-72
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