Benefits of Exercise on Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Problem
For most veterans, the end of military assignments means the start of dealing with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition marked with disturbed sleep, physical pain, depression, anger, thoughts of suicide, and social isolation. Approximately 500,000 servicemen who served in Afghanistan and Iraq returned home with PTSD (Lawson, 2014). Besides the personal agony to the veteran’s quality of life, the cost of combating this disease has created an enormous burden on America’s healthcare system.
A recent study determined that the lifetime cost of caring for one veteran with PTSD is $1.5 million, with a total cost of treating all retired military officers with PTSD close to $700 billion (Wimalawansa, 2013). However, most veterans do not receive treatment at all because of the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. More than 65% of returning members of the armed forces say that they would not consult mental health experts, claiming that it may affect their civilian or military careers (Wimalawansa, 2013). The magnitude of these problems demands that all stakeholders pursue innovative solutions outside the normal process.
The Veterans Association estimates that more than 30% of retiring military personnel has post-traumatic stress disorder (Ley, Rato Barrio, & Koch, 2018). Increasing cases of PTSD among veterans has been an area of concern for the federal government because of the harmful, long-term, and often damaging repercussions of this disease (Whitworth & Ciccolo, 2016). Alternatively, PTSD is the risk factor for most of the mental disorders and adverse cardio-metabolic health outcomes. A poor diet and behavioral elements such as reduced physical exercises aggravate these relationships (Ley, Rato Barrio, & Koch, 2018). Therefore, fitness experts have supported exercises as a practical intervention for both physical and psychological well-being, making it a prospective and noble therapy alternative for veterans with PTSD.
Engaging in regular exercise and other workouts appear acceptable on paper than the more conventional drug dosages and psychological treatments, especially among veterans, who find it hard to register for mental health checkups even though they had previously served in the military (Koven, 2018). Although stakeholders in the mental health fraternity recognize the potential benefits of exercise as a mediating factor between health outcomes and PTSD, the impact of regular workout on the mental welfare of veterans is still a topic that studies need to explore to provide more certainty.
Previous research has proven that individuals not suffering from mental health conditions tend to engage more in regular exercises and spend more time on rigorous life engagements compared with individuals with PTSD (Babson et al., 2015). Thus, recent psychological studies among individuals with PTSD have provided more insights into the practical and efficacy nature of these interventions. In two distinct assessments of patients already on PTSD treatment and care, Koven (2018) showed considerable improvements in cardio-metabolic risk factors and reductions in depression and PTSD and symptoms.
Alternatively, aerobics stimulates the brain to release endorphins, which are chemicals responsible for producing a feeling of well-being. Also, rigorous exercises suppress the release of other chemicals within the body that induces the feeling of depression and anxiety (Ley, Rato Barrio, & Koch, 2018). Lastly, “strenuous exercise tire the body, which brings sleep that most PTSD victims lack” (Babson et al., 2015).
This dissertation reports the findings of previous studies to establish the benefits of exercising among PTSD veterans and how these success factors can assist in the treatment of PTSD among retired and current military officers. The paper focuses on the establishment of programs that support regular exercises as alternative treatment approaches for PTSD, the need to collaborate the efforts of the Veterans Association with fitness centers in the community, as well as funding these facilities. Also, central to the research study is the exploration of the predictive nature of the relationship between PTSD and exercise among mental health victims.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The idea that exercise and physical activity are viable treatments for PTSD among veterans has gained momentum over the past decade. Since the Veteran’s Association has admitted that it has not tackled the PTSD problem among veterans as it had expected, there is a need to concentrate on the cheapest, closest, and more practical solutions available for a population that has almost lost direction. For example, individuals with PTSD have higher rates of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome, conditions that mostly result due to the sedentary behavior of individuals with PTSD (Armenta et al., 2018). Eventually, the lack of body engagement with the environment contributes to the dreaded neural, medical, and cognitive comorbidities.
Although other evidence-based pharmacological and psychological treatments have proven to be effective in dealing with the characteristic symptoms of PTSD, the problem arises from personal and sociological factors. Veterans with PTSD often face barriers to the initiation of treatment, including motivation, cost, stigma, and access to care (Armenta et al., 2018). The advantage of exercise is that it does not have barriers and comes with self-efficacy; it is broadly accessible and avoids the negative connotations attached to traditional mental health approaches. Psychologists have also generally accepted that modern ways of life have significantly contributed to most of the current mental health issues, whereby people have entirely ignored the importance of physical health. Recall that without physical fitness, the concept of psychological health becomes nonsensical.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to explore the benefits that physical activities and regular exercise may have on the treatment of characteristics of PTSD among veterans. The research also sought to solve an existing social problem by investigating why most PTSD victims were reluctant to engage in regular exercises that could have a positive impact on their lives, especially when most of them had experienced difficulty in accessing the treatment provided by the Veteran’s Association. Alternatively, this is not an intervention study, although the report intends to induce behavioral changes among people with PTSD.
1.4 Significance of the Study
Although numerous studies have highlighted the issue of PTSD among veterans, none has extensively covered the benefits of exercises as a possible treatment method. The research on PTSD among veterans intends to inform stakeholders and the affected on the importance of exercises and physical activities as a cost-effective and unlimited approach to managing PTSD. The research can as well act as an alternative but effective treatment method at all the government agencies concerned with combating PTSD among veterans. The project’s goal is to help war veterans to improve the quality of life by finding ways of becoming the agents of change in their tough journey after service.
1.5 Research Questions
The research seeks to answer the following qualitative questions. The reason behind this approach is that it “provides depth and details and creates openness’ (Moser & Korstjens, 2017).
- How has the quality of life changed since you started engaging in regular exercises?
- Has engaging in physical activities changed how you perceive PTSD?
- Rate your satisfaction with life now that you are aware of the need for regular exercises?
- Are you willing to substitute exercises for any other treatment method?
- How convenient is participating in regular exercises in managing depression and stress?
1.6 Definition of Terms
- PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Quality of life – Describes the ability to sleep well, manage emotions, good eating habits, or having good relations with other people.
- Depression – The feeling of sadness, low mood, or a general loss of interest in things
- Anxiety – The state of fear, increased alertness, and a rapid heart rate even in situations that do not pose a danger to an individual’s life.
- Exercise – Any activity that requires physical effort to improve or sustain fitness and health.
1.7 Research Design
A qualitative research design will be used in this study. I will conduct in-depth individual interviews with veterans with PTSD and match the results with the opinions of psychologists regarding the benefits of exercises on veterans diagnosed with PTSD. The method will also rely on the phenomenology methodology to describe the change in the quality of life (Jamshed, 2014). The research will also apply the purposive non-probability sampling, together with semi-structured interviews and finally analyze the data using the thematic content analysis (Sutton & Austin, 2015). The collection of data will also adhere to APA Code of Ethics regarding human research by sticking to debriefing procedures, anonymity, informed consent, and avoid putting the participants in unnecessary risks (Sutton & Austin, 2015). I will ensure that the participants have enough information regarding their participation, ensure their safety in the process, and treat the information they provide as private.
1.8 Summary
The study above intends to highlight the plight of veterans by coming up with an alternative approach to treatment that is cost-effective and time-saving. By conducting this assessment, veterans with PTSD will have an opportunity to improve their quality of life since they will find alternative ways of managing the disease. Additionally, the cost of treating soldiers exerts a significant burden on public health resources, a predicament that the study seeks to change as it improves the welfare of veterans.
References
Armenta, R. F., Rush, T., LeardMann, C. A., Millegan, J., Cooper, A., & Hoge, C. W. (2018). Factors associated with persistent posttraumatic stress disorder among US military service members and veterans. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 48.
Babson, K. A., Heinz, A. J., Ramirez, G., Puckett, M., Irons, J. G., Bonn-Miller, M. O., & Woodward, S. H. (2015). The interactive role of exercise and sleep on veteran recovery from symptoms of PTSD. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 8, 15-20.
Jamshed, S. (2014). Qualitative research method-interviewing and observation. Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy, 5(4), 87.
Koven, S. (2018). Veteran treatments: PTSD interventions. Healthcare, 6(3), 94..
Lawson, N. R. (2014). Posttraumatic stress disorder in combat veterans. Journal of the American Academy of PAs, 27(5), 18-22.
Ley, C., Rato Barrio, M., & Koch, A. (2018). “In the sport, i am here”: Therapeutic processes and health effects of sport and exercise on PTSD. Qualitative Health Research, 28(3), 491-507.
Moser, A., & Korstjens, I. (2017). Series: Practical guidance to qualitative research. Part 1: Introduction. European Journal of General Practice, 23(1), 271-273.
Sutton, J., & Austin, Z. (2015). Qualitative research: Data collection, analysis, and management. The Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy, 68(3), 226.
Whitworth, J. W., & Ciccolo, J. T. (2016). Exercise and post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans: A systematic review. Military Medicine, 181(9), 953-960.
Wimalawansa, S. J. (2013). Post-traumatic stress disorder: An under-diagnosed and under-treated entity. Comprehensive Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 1(12), 11.
