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Psychische Folgen von früheren und akuten Traumatisierungen bei Älteren

Klinische Präsentation, Diagnostik und Therapie

Psychological consequences of earlier and acute traumatization in the elderly

Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapy

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Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Die wissenschaftliche Literatur zur Psychotraumatologie hat Menschen über 60 Jahre nur wenig im Blick, obwohl die sog. Kriegskindergeneration des Zweiten Weltkriegs in Europa zu einem hohen Prozentsatz schwer belastet ist. Hinzu kommen mögliche akute Traumatisierungen Älterer.

Methode

Auf der Basis einer Literaturrecherche wird eine Übersicht über die Symptomatik eines akuten oder zurückliegenden Traumas im Alter gegeben sowie die psychotherapeutischen und psychopharmakologischen Behandlungsoptionen dargestellt.

Schlussfolgerungen

Es besteht die Notwendigkeit einer sorgfältigen Differenzialdiagnose, um eine Traumareaktivierung im Alter zu erkennen, die hinter einer Somatisierungsstörung verborgen liegt. Die Prognose entsprechender Symptombilder durch traumakonfrontative Techniken ist ähnlich gut wie im mittleren Erwachsenenalter. Limitationen seitens des Patienten sollten dabei berücksichtigt werden.

Abstract

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.

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Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien

Interessenkonflikt. K. Hucklenbroich, M. Burgmer und G. Heuft geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht. Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Domagkstr. 22, 48149, Münster, Deutschland

    K. Hucklenbroich, M. Burgmer & G. Heuft

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  1. K. Hucklenbroich
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  2. M. Burgmer
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  3. G. Heuft
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Correspondence to K. Hucklenbroich.

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Hucklenbroich, K., Burgmer, M. & Heuft, G. Psychische Folgen von früheren und akuten Traumatisierungen bei Älteren. Z Gerontol Geriat 47, 202–208 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-014-0625-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-014-0625-x

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