Exploration of recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder in Canadian Armed Forces veterans, An: a qualitative inquiry using interpretive phenomenological analysis

The experience of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder within the Canadian Armed Forces Veteran population has been described as complex but there remains limited empirical evidence on how to best address these complexities (Pare 2013). Although there is significant evidence to support the efficacy of specific evidence based trauma treatments, these therapies are understood as lacking the ability to fully address the experience of recovery from the personal perspective of those with PTSD (i.e., lived experience). This qualitative study captures the lived experience of the PTSD journey as shared by the true recovery experts—those with PTSD. Interpretive phenomenology is the qualitative method of inquiry chosen to capture three veterans’ experiences. Findings from this research will help the reader better appreciate the lived experience of recovery as it has been understood by the participants. This research will also help increase understanding on how treatment fits within the greater recovery journey. Given the heavy reliance on quantitative research within the OSIC network, this study provides important context that has never been accessed before. It is anticipated that this research will fill current gaps in the literature on the recovery journey of Canadian Armed Forces Veterans with PTSD (Pare, 2013).Includes bibliographical references (pages 68-81). "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Psychiatric Nursing."Military culturePTSDVeteransTreatmentRecoveryMental healt