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Can Anesthesia Trigger Delayed‐Onset Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans?
Author(s) -
Berger Kathrene Carter,
Scharer Kathleen
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2011.00321.x
Subject(s) - presentation (obstetrics) , posttraumatic stress , medicine , psychiatry , anesthetic , anesthesia , surgery
PURPOSE: The clinical presentation of a 60‐year‐old Vietnam veteran who developed delayed‐onset posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after surgery is presented along with mechanisms for storing traumatic memory and a discussion of the potential contributions of anesthesia and aging to his clinical presentation. CONCLUSION: Although additional research is needed to clarify the contributions of memory processes, anesthesia, and aging in delayed‐onset PTSD, prudent clinicians will be cognizant of a potential correlation and screen patients appropriately. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A thorough surgical and anesthetic exposure history should be explored in presentations of delayed‐onset posttraumatic disorder symptomatology. Additionally, clinicians working with trauma patients who anticipate surgery are uniquely positioned to serve as a liaison between the patient, surgeon, and anesthetist, thereby decreasing the potential for delayed‐onset PTSD.