Talking Later: Veterans' Stories of Late-Life PTSD

Veterans Health Administration

This podcast is about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD in later life; it is also about resilience as we age. PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While some of us may be familiar with the idea of PTSD as a result of combat or natural disasters or other traumatic events, many people are less familiar with the ways PTSD can resurface, or emerge for the first time, as we age. Each episode of “Talking Later” begins with a real Veteran’s story. They’ll share their ups and downs, and sometimes the ways that they coped – or found meaning – in what they’ve gone through. Then we’ll discuss what the Veteran’s story can teach us about PTSD in later life. We hope these stories and conversations will help people with PTSD, as well as those who care for them.

  1. 07/12/2023

    S2E7: The Husband

    Sometimes it’s the people closest to you who first notice that something just isn’t quite right. A Sunday morning brunch guides a Vietnam Veteran and his wife on the path to recovery. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College in 2011. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: · Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast VHA Office of Rural Health National Center for PTSD VA Mental Health Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

    25 min
  2. 06/14/2023

    S2E6: The Runner

    How far can we run? The chaos of war doesn’t always end with survival. Meet a Vietnam Veteran who vividly remembers each loss but refuses to forget everything he has gained. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Kelly O’Malley is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Consult-Liaison Service at the VA Boston Community Living Center. Her research focuses on examining the re-emergence of PTSD in later life and developing policies and training for trauma-informed care for older adults in VA CLCs. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: · Understanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast The Honor Flight Network Coming Home: Vietnam Veterans in American Society Why Were Vietnam War Vets Treated Poorly When They Returned? Mental Health Impact of Homecoming Experience Among 1730 Formerly Deployed Veterans From the Vietnam War to Current Conflicts: Results From the Veterans' Health Study - PubMed (nih.gov) Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or nightTo connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

    23 min
  3. 05/10/2023

    S2E5: The Nine Foot Man

    What makes you feel proud? A Lebanese-American Veteran from World War II discusses his childhood, his experiences in World War II and as a firefighter, and his adult life with his wife and children. Afterwards the hosts discuss the role of race, identity, and resilience in responding to trauma. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Hannah Bashian is a counseling psychologist who works with older Veterans with medical and mental health concerns. Her research interests include the impact of ageist attitudes across the lifespan and ways to combat ageism. She is currently working on adapting an approach to thinking about trauma in late life for older Veterans with health problems. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish Version The My Life My Story Podcast National Center for PTSD VA Mental Health Article about Veterans and PTSD in Firefighters Article about PTSD Prevalence in firefighters Article about Veterans doing second service as firefighters Article about how the Military is a Good First Step to Becoming a Firefighter Article about 5 Reasons Why Veterans Are Suited to Be FirefightersPodcast on how technology can support people with PTSDAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

    25 min
  4. 04/12/2023

    S2E4: The Blanket Party

    How do you fight for a country that may not fight for you? In this episode we meet a Vietnam-era Veteran who grapples with the complexity of understanding his place in a foreign war that ended, and the domestic war on racism that he cannot escape. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Lola Baird is a licensed clinical social worker at the Boston VA Healthcare System. Lola received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters in Social Work from Boston College. Lola has spent the last decade providing direct clinical care support to different Veteran populations. Currently, Lola works as the clinic manager and senior social worker for the Polytrauma/Traumatic Brain Injury clinic. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthArticle about PTSD and racial traumaArticle about Uncovering the trauma of racismPodcast on how technology can support people with PTSD Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night:Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

    27 min
  5. 03/08/2023

    S2E3: The Caretaker

    How do we find answers to our losses? A female Veteran describes her work as a nurse during her military service and her lifetime spent repairing others and searching for answers to her own losses. This podcast is brought to you by the VHA Office of Rural Health. The contents do not represent the views of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. The following episode may contain descriptions of violence. Please use discretion. Rachel Weiskittle is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Her research focuses on grief, trauma, aging, and the role of creative art therapies in helping people heal from loss. Anna Etchin is a Registered Nurse, Researcher, and Quality Management Specialist with the VA Boston Healthcare System. Her work focuses on trauma and resilience. Resources and Further Reading for this episode: VHA Office of Rural HealthUnderstanding PTSD and Aging: English Version ; Spanish VersionThe My Life My Story PodcastNational Center for PTSDVA Mental HealthCenter for Women VeteransWebsite about PTSD in Female VeteransArticle with a historical perspective on women veterans issuesProfile of Women VeteransAre you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Find support anytime day or night To connect with a Veterans Crisis Line responder anytime day or night: Call 988, then select 1.Start a confidential chat.Text 838255.If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

    22 min
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

This podcast is about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD in later life; it is also about resilience as we age. PTSD is a mental health condition that can occur by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. While some of us may be familiar with the idea of PTSD as a result of combat or natural disasters or other traumatic events, many people are less familiar with the ways PTSD can resurface, or emerge for the first time, as we age. Each episode of “Talking Later” begins with a real Veteran’s story. They’ll share their ups and downs, and sometimes the ways that they coped – or found meaning – in what they’ve gone through. Then we’ll discuss what the Veteran’s story can teach us about PTSD in later life. We hope these stories and conversations will help people with PTSD, as well as those who care for them.