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Elderly and Pharmacological Treatment of PTSD

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Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

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Abstract

The elderly as a general population are frequently understudied for both diagnostic criteria and responses to therapeutic interventions. When it comes to medications, the pharmacokinetic (e.g., medication concentration) and pharmacodynamic (e.g., receptor affinity) properties are often different for the elderly which at times may limit how effective medications are as well as side effects experienced. In addition, geriatric patients’ brains are undergoing loss of neuronal reserve related to aging and increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases. In short, the elderly are a unique population when it comes to susceptibility of side effects from medications. This chapter reviews how these factors impact the prescribing of medications for PTSD in the elderly as well as potential complications which can occur.

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Abbreviations

BDNF:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor

CBT:

Cognitive behavioral therapy

CNS:

Central nervous system

FDA:

US Federal Drug Administration

HPA:

Hypothalamic-pituitary axis

MAOIs:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

OCD:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

PE:

Prolonged exposure therapy

PI:

Package insert

PTSD:

Post-traumatic stress disorder

SNRIs:

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

SSRIs:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

TCAs:

Tricyclic antidepressants

VA:

Veterans Affairs Administration

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Education, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL, USA

    Ryan C. W. Hall

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

    Ryan C. W. Hall

  3. Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law, Orlando, FL, USA

    Ryan C. W. Hall

  4. Northcoast Behavioral Healthcare, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 1756 Sagamore Rd., 44067, Northfield, OH, USA

    Sherif Soliman

Authors
  1. Ryan C. W. Hall
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  2. Sherif Soliman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryan C. W. Hall .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Buckinghamshire New University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    Colin R. Martin

  2. Kings College, London, United Kingdom

    Victor R. Preedy

  3. University of Westminster, London, United Kingdom

    Vinood B. Patel

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Hall, R.C.W., Soliman, S. (2015). Elderly and Pharmacological Treatment of PTSD. In: Martin, C., Preedy, V., Patel, V. (eds) Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_46-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-08613-2_46-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-08613-2

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