'The Mind’s Never-Ending Battle'

: Investigating the efficacy of physical exercise as a treatment method for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

This research seeks to examine orthodox approaches to the treatment of PTSD among military veterans, before analysing the impact of exercise on those suffering from it. The aim is to investigate whether exercise should be upgraded from an unorthodox to standard treatment regimes to complement existing therapies. To do so, a rich history of the disease and its biopsychology understandings is established before moving onto original data. In order to examine for the efficacy of exercise in this capacity, autoethnography first details that one specific form of exercise, CrossFit®, was found to provide more relief than others. With exercise efficacy established, the next study examines for the histories of exercise and perceived relief among veterans. Findings from this study then lead to a final study that narrows the scope of inquiry. Results show that exercise is perceived to be a potent agent in treating PTSD, accordingly multiple policy recommendations are provided for the betterment of military veterans’ care and self-care.

Date of Award	29 May 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Winchester
Supervisor	Eric Anderson (Supervisor), John Batten (Supervisor) & Jo Batey (Supervisor)