Effects of Horticulture Therapy With PTSD Patients
Posted by in Patients on September 29, 2011
Horticulture therapy has been shown to improve the daily lives of the elderly and homeless. It helps to improve not only patient’s physical state, but also improves their emotional and social skills as well. Why wouldn’t it work to help people with PTSD? Depression and a sense of hopelessness are two common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The simple act of gardening can be relaxing while at the same time can give the patient a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
Many programs exist to help veterans with PTSD, but not very many incorporate gardening into their program. I recently learned that St. Louis has one organization that does just that. They help veterans, many who have PTSD, and put them through a jobs training program connected with their urban farm. This is part of the program called “City Seeds”, which is sponsored by Gateway Greening.
Another example is at the Danderyd Hospital Horticultural therapy Garden in Sweden, whereby occupational therapists work with 46 patients with brain damage. They helped to increase a sense of well-being, influence healing, and improve the social lives of the patients. Read the rest of this entry »