Due to the increasing number of military personnel experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) today released a societal statement about occupational therapy’s role in diagnosing and treating this condition.
Excerpts from the statement include:
• “The overarching goal of occupational therapy for military personnel coping with combat-related PTSD is to use strategies to help them recover, compensate or adapt so they can reengage with activities that are necessary for their daily life.”
• “Because of their knowledge and skills in addressing the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors associated with combat-related PTSD, occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants bring broad expertise to help personnel identify the barriers that are limiting their recovery and participation in meaningful activities.”
• “Combat-related PTSD not only affects military personnel, but also the family and the community in which military personnel interact. If unidentified and untreated, the effects of combat-related PTSD may have a delayed onset and cause problems such as depression, social alienation, marital communication problems, difficulty with parenting, and alcohol and drug abuse.”
• “It is vital for military personnel and health care providers to be educated on these signs and symptoms and detect them early to ensure that military personnel receive adequate opportunities for prompt intervention services and to access support. This is something that occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants can do.”
Please contact the AOTA Media Relations Office for a full copy of the statement or to request an interview with one of the authors:
• Col. Robinette J. Amaker, SP, PhD, OTR/L, CHT, FAOTA
• Lt. Col. Yvette Woods, SP, PhD, OTR/L
• Lt. Col. Steven M. Gerardi, SP, MS, OTR/L, CHT
