EQUINE THERAPY FOR PTSD

DIANA L. LIEDTKE-THORPE

PTSDDEFINITION

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event.

NOT JUST VETERANS

--COMBAT EXPOSURE

TRAUMATIC EVENTS

--SEXUAL ABUSE

--ACCIDENTS--NATUARAL

DISASTERS

PTSD SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

FOUR

TYPES

SIGNS & SYMPTOMSRELLIEVE EVENT--Flashbacks Nightmares Uncontrollable thoughts about

eventAVOIDANCE numb hopelessness

memory concerns

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSHYPERAROUSAL anger irritable

self destructive jittery

NEGATIVE CHANGES IN BELIEF

guilt shame fear

PTSD TREATMENTTREATMENTCognitive

Behavioral Eye Movement

DesensitizationExposure

therapyAnti-depressantsGroup therapyFamily therapy

VETERANS ARE SPECIAL

EQUINE RX FOR PTSD

Tools to gain self understandingConfidenceSelf efficacy and self awarenessCommunication Anxiety reductionSocial skills Impulse modulation

HORSES ARE EXTRAORDINARY

Prey animals – heightened sensesNon verbal communicationAffectionateRespectfulHerd dynamics

PTSD RESOURSESNational Center for PTSD

http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages

Mayo Clinichttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health

Calico Junctionhttp://

www.calicojuntionnewbeginingsranch.org/ptsd.html

RESOURCES FOR VETSVETERANS CRISIS LINE

800-273-TALKPTSD COACH –

http://www.mirecc.va.gov/coaching/contact.asp

VA’s National Center for PTSDwww.ptsd.va.gov