A wearable health monitoring system for posttraumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD, a mental disorder that ensues after experiencing a shocking, life-altering, and/or traumatic event, has commonly afflicted veterans returning from military service. In this paper, we propose a system that monitors for any signs of nightmares, attempts to suppress them, or wakes the patient slowly if unsuccessful, thus improving the quality of life of those who suffer from nightmares related to PTSD. Consisting of a combination of temperature control, aromatherapy, and auditory therapy capabilities, the proposed innovation will be integrated in the form of a wearable device. The Internet of Things resource in the realm of home automation technology enables the affordable use of smart sensors as the foundation for the system. Wearable technology ties the individual into the countermeasure network and monitors for nightmare conditions. The system will have the capability of optimization through machine learning and remote management. Due to widespread diagnosis of PTSD in those exposed to trauma, the system has the potential to positively impact millions of people and reduce rates of depression and suicide.