Elders With Anticipatory Trauma

Abstract

Chronic institutionalized elders may be iatrogenically misdiagnosed as psychotic when their traumatic fears of present and future bring about a dysfunctional retreat into their past experience. Once physical causes are ruled out, a psychogenic approach for these patients may be indicated, particularly in group settings designed to reverse anticipatory trauma by confronting and resolving catastrophic fears of death and disability. These groups may be intensive, daily, and cover many months. Success will be followed by careful discharge planning with post-discharge support and follow-up. Research and replication on the re-introduction of this intervention holds promise for current 21st-century practice, particularly for these elder patients and their valuable memories. They have much of post-trauma value to contribute.