Prolonged Exposure Therapy for a Vietnam Veteran With PTSD and Early-Stage Dementia Original Research Article

Although prolonged exposure therapy (PE) is considered an evidence-based treatment for PTSD, there has been little published about the use of this treatment for older adults with comorbid early-stage dementia. As the number of older adults in the United States continues to grow, so will their unique mental health needs. The present article describes the successful coordination of care and application of PE in the assessment and treatment of a Vietnam veteran with comorbid PTSD and early-stage dementia. Measures related to the patientʹs cognitive and psychological functioning were obtained before, during, and after treatment. PE was associated with significant declines in PTSD and depression symptoms. Moreover, the patientʹs cognitive functioning was made clearer in the absence of severe psychiatric symptoms. Factors contributing to the patientʹs positive response are discussed.