Helping those with PTSD to take back control

Understanding PTSD

June is PTSD Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. This can include anything from a serious accident, natural disaster, combat, or personal assault. It’s more than just the “bad memories” or nightmares—PTSD can significantly disrupt daily life.

In the United States, PTSD affects about 3.5% of adults every year. That's millions of people dealing with symptoms like flashbacks, severe anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, and emotional numbness. These symptoms can impact everything from job performance to personal relationships, and overall quality of life.

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What Can Be Done to Help

Thankfully, there are ways to manage and treat PTSD. In Here are a few:

1. Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are highly effective. These therapies help individuals process their trauma and develop coping mechanisms.
2. Medication: Antidepressants can be prescribed to help manage symptoms. These medications can reduce the intensity of PTSD symptoms and improve daily functioning.
3. Support Groups: Connecting with others who have experienced similar trauma can provide comfort and reduce feelings of isolation.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mindfulness practices like meditation can also play a crucial role in managing PTSD symptoms.

The National Center for PTSD is a fantastic place to get more information on PTSD, how to get help and raise awareness.

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How Perx Helps Those with PTSD and Mental Health Challenges

At Perx Health, we're proud that we've been able to improve the lives of those with mental health challenges, including PTSD. These folks often feel that their mental health is dictating their lives, and that they have lost control.

Perx member Stephanie (name changed) is one such person. She's worked hard to overcome her own trauma and protect her daughters:

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I'm 60yr old single mum of 2 girls who are 29 and 25. I've been single mum for last 22yrs. I have had relationship but was domestic violence and emotional, financial and then he turned towards my girls.  We left, I lost a lot of photos, and childhood items from my for that I can never replace.
My girls understand that I have bought them up making sure they always had a roof over their heads, food and clothes. They may not have had everything they wanted but they were loved and safe.  I'm still recovering but I try to take each day as it comes.  I suffer from depression, anxiety, ptsd, and arthritis.

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We aim to help people like Stephanie regain a sense of control over their lives. It may seem small, but by motivating them each and every day to stick to their treatment plan (whether that's taking their medications, exercising or going to therapy) can help turn lives around. Peter (name changed), diagnosed with PTSD, described his experience of Perx as:

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"It's awesome. An illness can marginalize a person but this app makes you feel acknowledged and part of a family. It has helped me with my depression as well. I have been using this app approx 5-6 months. I continue to use it every day. I must admit that it is the most frequent app I use on my phone."

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Making a tangible difference

Perx programs have delivered real gains for those with mental health challenges. In a program with a national payer, users of Perx experienced:

• 27% reduction in mental distress after one year
• 15% mood improvement self-reported after one year
• 93% adherence to prescribed medications

At Perx Health, we're committed to supporting mental health and helping members lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. For more information about our programs and successes, visit Perx Health or contact us at hello@perxhealth.com.