Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Overview for Physical Therapists, 2nd Edition

Course Description:

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex syndrome that may occur after exposure to one or more traumatic events. PTSD involves a characteristic set of symptoms that includes re-­experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding stimuli associated with the traumatic event, having negative changes in mood or cognitions associated with or worsening after the traumatic event, and experiencing increased reactivity and arousal. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), these symptoms are associated with clinically significant distress and impairment, including reduced social functioning and job performance (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). Moreover, individuals experiencing PTSD may also have other psychiatric disorders that are frequently comorbid with PTSD, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders, and substance use disorders, as well as somatic complaints and physical illnesses (Dayan, Rauchs, & Guillery-Girard, 2017; Wynn & Benedek, 2017).