June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month, which culminates on June 27 with PTSD Awareness Day. Since 2014, the entire month has been dedicated in this way in order to encourage individuals to raise public awareness of PTSD and push for more effective treatments for the condition. In recognizing PTSD Awareness Month, we would like to discuss how and why PTSD develops, and explain the role that our Parkville physical therapists can play in addressing it.

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person continues to experience certain psychological symptoms long after a traumatic event occurs. Just about any physical or psychological trauma can trigger PTSD, but it usually involves a situation where either actual or threatened injury to a person or loved one(s) is present. The most common traumatic events that often lead to PTSD are natural disasters, combat and abuse and victimization, including sexual assault and terrorism.

PTSD can lead to a variety of recurring signs and symptoms, but the three primary symptoms are: frequent recollecting of the traumatic event, avoiding the stimulus or situations that may trigger memories of the event, and increased physical arousal with anxiety, including extreme irritability or angry outbursts. Approximately 3.5% of Americans experience PTSD each year, about 7% will experience it in their lifetime, and women are twice as likely to develop it than men.

When it comes to treating patients with PTSD, especially those who were injured during the traumatic event, Parkville physical therapists often have an important role to play. In many situations, they serve as one member of a comprehensive team of medical professionals, each of which is tasked with specific responsibilities.

Physical therapists are not involved in the primary treatment of PTSD and are not equipped to address the psychological symptoms that come with it, but they are trained to deal with these patients in the rehabilitation setting. This means being able to understand patients’ symptoms, doing their best to avoid any triggers that can make treatment more difficult, and being extra attentive to their relationship and response to the treatment.

As a result, physical therapists are becoming more effective at diagnosing and picking up on the nuances of PTSD, and in understanding how to treat patients with it. In addition to the personalized treatment program they create for each patient, our Parkville physical therapists will also recommend exercising on a regular basis. Regular physical activity has been found to help reduce symptoms in PTSD patients by reducing anxiety and improving mood. This is mainly due to the fact that strenuous exercise stimulates the release of “feel-good hormones” called endorphins, makes falling asleep easier and improves self-esteem and body image, all of which are incredibly important for patients with PTSD.

Mental health experts and other medical professionals may be on the front lines for addressing the difficulties faced by individuals with PTSD, but physical therapists play an essential part in the treatment process as well. If you or someone you know with PTSD is recovering from an injury, contact CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services at 301-853-0093 to schedule an appointment at any of our four locations in Laurel, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie or Parkville/Baltimore, MD, or click here for more information about PTSD Awareness Month.