Creating a Theoretical Holistic, Natural Treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Literature Review
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Erika Avila
Presenter(s): Erika Avila
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological impairment which displays an increased fear response after a person experiences a traumatic event. PTSD manifests at different intensity levels and has various symptoms. Symptoms could include reoccurring thoughts or dreams about the traumatic event, hypervigilance, extreme emotion, environmental triggers, or high blood pressure. Abnormal activity in different brain areas is associated with PTSD. This includes hyperactivity of the amygdala, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis and the anterior cingulate cortex. Contrary, hypoactivity is seen in the prefrontal cortex. These areas are implicated in mediating stress response, emotional regulation, and the flight or fight autonomic response. The prefrontal cortex is important in inhibition and regulation of these responses. Cognitive processing therapy is a primary and impactful treatment for PTSD. Cognitive processing therapy is often paired with medication, often used are pharmaceuticals utilized in depression or anxiety. Many patients do not respond well to pharmaceuticals which can also have many negative side effects. Pioneering research in the fields of psilocybin, music therapy, nutritional influence on PTSD, and bibliotherapy show promising results. These treatments offer alternative and holistic therapeutics. My research has compounded literature displaying effective natural treatments to formulate a theoretical treatment plan for PTSD with the goal of treating patients holistically to help the body and mind heal to support neurological recircuiting of the brain.