Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
Published on: December 6, 2024
Aging and Trauma: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Korean War Veterans
Barton W Palmer1, Samantha Friend1, Steve Huege1
1is a Staff Psychologist; , and are Psychiatrists; is a Research Associate; all at the Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System in California. Barton Palmer is a Professor-in-Residence, Steve Huege is a Clinical Professor, and James B. Lohr is Professor Emeritus; all at the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego in La Jolla. James Lohr is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego in La Jolla. and are Visiting Scholars; both at the Health Sciences International, University of California, San Diego in La Jolla.
Korean War veterans experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) decades before its formal diagnosis. This aging population now requires specialized clinical care for unique PTSD management needs.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Gerontology
- Military Health
Background:
- Korean War veterans represent a unique demographic experiencing long-term psychological effects.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was not formally recognized during the Korean War era, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment for many veterans.
- This population is now aging, presenting distinct challenges for healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unique clinical management needs of aging Korean War veterans with a history of PTSD.
- To emphasize the long-term impact of trauma experienced before formal diagnostic criteria existed.
- To inform healthcare strategies for this specific veteran cohort.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical medical and military records.
- Analysis of long-term health outcomes in Korean War veteran cohorts.
- Retrospective cohort study design.
Main Results:
- Significant prevalence of delayed-onset PTSD symptoms in Korean War veterans.
- Identification of specific co-morbidities and health issues associated with prolonged trauma exposure.
- Demonstration of unique physiological and psychological sequelae in this aging population.
Conclusions:
- Aging Korean War veterans require tailored clinical approaches for PTSD.
- Early trauma, even without formal diagnosis, has lasting health implications.
- Interdisciplinary care is essential for managing the complex needs of this demographic.
More Related Videos
10:43Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity
Published on: July 1, 2014
04:02Author Spotlight: Developing Precise and Clinically Relevant Models for Studying Secondary Degeneration in Traumatic Optic Neuropathy
Published on: November 29, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Traumatic Memory
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...