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Response of the Patient in the Case Report

DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2012.92.6.877.1 Published 1 June 2012
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As the patient described in the case report by Dunleavy and Kubo Slowik,1 I want to share that many aspects of the letter2 resonate with me. She describes her experience, which has unfolded over the past year, and I am in awe of her intellectual and emotional commitment to this journey. I would like to express my gratitude and focus on 2 aspects of what she has written.

She describes the road to recovery as going “through physical therapy.” The body really is the key here. We both live with posttraumatic stress disorder. We both have memories that come, not from the head, but from deep inside the body. Physical therapy may bring those memories to the surface, or it can re-traumatize.3 The preparation and reactions of the physical therapist are crucial. In both of our cases, our physical therapists encouraged us to seek psychotherapy and followed up on our seeking additional help. The letter writer urged professionals to “keep a low threshold of suspicion for a history of abuse,” and I agree completely. That does, however, raise unanswered questions: How will physical therapists be prepared to deal with such a history? Will physical therapists be able to refer to effective professionals when comorbid conditions are apparent? Will supervisors understand when this process has required more than the usual amount of time? Will insurers be prepared to pay for additional services and additional necessary appointments?

The letter writer also describes how important it was that, in her most uncomfortable moments, her physical therapist would say, “Don't worry, I'll catch you.” As the patient, I can let these fragmented and explosive memories surface only if I am sure that I can trust my physical therapist to do that. I need to have learned that, no matter how jumpy or irritable or unfocused I am, my physical therapist will stick with me and handle it—and not let me get down on myself, either. I need to feel sure that my physical therapist is there to catch me.

Footnotes

  • ↵Name withheld by request.

  • This letter was posted as a Rapid Response on April 5, 2012, at ptjournal.apta.org.

  • © 2012 American Physical Therapy Association

References

  1. ↵
    1. Dunleavy K,
    2. Kubo Slowik A
    . Emergence of delayed posttraumattic stress disorder symptoms related to sexual trauma: patient-centered and trauma-cognizant management by physical therapists. Phys Ther. 2012;92:339–351.
    OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text
  2. ↵
    1. Anonymous
    . Letter to the editor on “Emergence of delayed posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms related to sexual trauma: patient-centered and trauma-cognizant management by physical therapists.” Phys Ther. 2012;92:873–875.
    OpenUrlFREE Full Text
  3. ↵
    1. Rothschild B
    . Trauma Essentials: The Go-to-Guide. New York, NY: Norton; 2011.
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Vol 92 Issue 6 Table of Contents
Physical Therapy: 92 (6)

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Response of the Patient in the Case Report
Physical Therapy Jun 2012, 92 (6) 877; DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2012.92.6.877.1

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Response of the Patient in the Case Report
Physical Therapy Jun 2012, 92 (6) 877; DOI: 10.2522/ptj.2012.92.6.877.1
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