PTSD: Is It A Mental Or Physical Health Issue?

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

. http://yourhealthmagazine.net

More Mental Health Articles

PTSD: Is It A Mental Or Physical Health Issue?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a complex condition that annually affects approximately 5% of people in the US — or 13 million Americans. After extensive research and debate, one recurring topic of discussion is whether PTSD should be classified as a mental health issue, a physical health issue, or both.

Traditionally, PTSD has been categorized and treated as a mental health issue, but there is growing evidence and support for the idea that PTSD should be treated as a physical condition. This shift in perspective has several benefits that can significantly improve the well-being and recovery of individuals with PTSD.

“We choose to call this condition post-traumatic stress injury, or PTSI,” says Brett Markowitz, CEO and founder of Age Rejuvenation Medical Clinic and PTS Medical Center, “because we see it as a physical injury rather than a mental disorder. A disorder is something you deal with for the rest of your life, but an injury can heal.”

The mental health perspective vs. the physical health perspective

The majority of mental health professionals and researchers classify PTSD as a mental health issue rooted in a traumatic event. Because of this assumption, their treatments focus on changing thought patterns, managing anxiety, and processing traumatic memories.

On the other hand, some researchers argue that PTSD should be considered a physical health concern as well. They emphasize that trauma affects the entire body, not just the mind.

PTSD triggers an array of physiological responses, such as increased heart rate, heightened levels of stress hormones, and changes in immune functioning. Moreover, PTSD is responsible for long-term stress, contributing to physical health complications like chronic pain, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal issues, and autoimmune disorders.

“We’re not saying you should neglect to treat the mental health aspects of PTSD,” explains Markowitz. “We’re saying that mental health counselors are not acknowledging the benefits of treating the physical component of PTSD. There’s a balance, and we help clients heal by approaching PTSD from a unique mindset. Many mental health practitioners are helping clients, but very few providers are doing what we do.”

The benefits of treating PTSD as a physical condition

Considering PTSD as a physical condition allows for the development of targeted treatment approaches where healthcare providers can directly address physical symptoms, such as chronic pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances. The approach leads to improved symptom management and overall well-being.

“When you see PTSD as a physical injury, you treat physical symptoms,” Markowitz remarks.  “We start with injections on both sides of the neck called a stellate ganglion block. Typically, people who suffer from PTSD are constantly in fight or flight mode, but these injections flip off the parasympathetic nerve like a light switch. People come in the next day to tell us they enjoyed their first full night of sleep in years.”

After the stellate ganglion block takes effect, Markowitz and his team start treating the rest of the body. They run extensive blood work to test for hormonal imbalances.

“Fight or flight is like a vacuum that sucks the life out of you,” remarks Markowitz. “Most of our clients with PTSD have adrenal glands that are overtaxed and depleted. After we address hormone therapy, we can attack autoimmune, thyroid, inflammation, gut health, and any other issues by examining vitamin deficiencies and even heavy metal toxicity. Many of our clients with PTSD are military personnel coming from deployments that exposed them to hazardous environmental factors, and we continue testing until we discover what is at the root of their symptoms. They fought for our freedom, so we fight to improve their quality of life.”

When PTSD is treated as a physical condition, it encourages collaboration between mental health professionals and other healthcare providers through a multidisciplinary approach that provides a holistic understanding of the condition and a comprehensive treatment plan. When psychologists, psychiatrists, primary care doctors, and specialists work together to address both the mental and physical aspects of PTSD, they achieve a well-rounded and effective treatment approach.

“PTSD has a genuine mental health component,” Markowitz notes. “Our clients must be in a good mental place to benefit from our treatment. We can stop PTSD symptoms with the stellate ganglion block, but when clients return to drinking or drugs, they  will not heal.”

Finally, treating PTSD as a physical condition reduces the stigma that often surrounds mental health issues, since many people hesitate to seek help for their mental health due to fear of judgment or societal pressure. By treating PTSD as a physical condition, it becomes easier for individuals to seek assistance without feeling ashamed or stigmatized. This change in perception can encourage more people to seek the help they need, leading to earlier intervention and improved outcomes.

Learning to treat PTSD as a physical condition has the potential to improve the lives of millions. “We see so many living with PTSD because they think it’s the only option,” Markowitz concludes. “When you come to us, we’ll figure out what your body is experiencing and treat it. We’re helping people restore their lives with the philosophy that PTSD is an injury, not a disorder.”