When someone you care for suffers from mental health issues like PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), it can become overwhelming for you as well. Thankfully there are effective treatment options available for PTSD.  You may be wondering how to help someone with PTSD? Your actions can definitely help your loved one overcome symptoms of PTSD and live a happy and healthy life. 
​

It is very common for patients with PTSD to withdraw from social life. They might feel ashamed and prefer to avoid being a burden on others.

It is important for you to respect the emotional and physical boundaries set by the effected individual. Your care and support can definitely help him/her overcome negative feelings of grief, helplessness, and despair but it is also important to not overwhelm them. 

You can encourage the person to pursue hobbies, seek out friends, and participate in activities that he/she likes such as singing, swimming, and rock climbing. This would enable the patient to forget the traumatic event by diverting his/her mind to pleasant activities
​

Never push a patient with PTSD to talk. You should, instead, be ready to listen without judgments and expectations. 

Make it clear to your loved one that you care and are interested in listening to his/her experience.  It is the act of listening that would be helpful to your loved one. Don't be quick to offer advice.
​

A traumatic event may alter the way your loved one sees the world. It might make the world seem like a frightening and dangerous place for that person. It may also damage his/her ability to trust others. 

Rebuilding trust can instill a sense of security, in such cases, and contribute to faster recovery.  You can express your commitment to your loved one to help him/her feel secure. Creating a predictable routine can also help to restore a sense of security and stability to patients with PTSD and help them regain their confidence.
​

Any trigger including a person, thing, place, or situation which reminds the patient of the trauma could set off the symptoms of PTSD.  Sometimes, the triggers are obvious. In some cases, it might take you time to identify the triggers.

Careful observation of the pattern of symptoms would help to identify the possible triggers. Identifying such triggers and avoiding them can help the patient prevent outbursts of negative emotions and support recovery. 

Common PTSD triggers include: 

• People, locations, and things that recall the unpleasant memories
• The sight, sound, or smell associated with the traumatic event
• Significant times and dates, such as anniversaries 
• Media coverage about the traumatic event 

Trying to remain calm and composed during an emotional outburst and communicating to the patient that he/she is “safe” would help the situation from escalating.

Conclusion
It takes time for a person with PTSD to overcome the difficult emotions brought about by the traumatic experience. However, continuous support and care by loved ones can help him or her get rid of the symptoms and live a happy and normal life. 
​
Seeking appropriate treatment including medications and counseling, when necessary, are also critical when helping your loved one recover faster. 

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health issue caused by experiencing a traumatic event.  It can be temporary or last for years depending on the individual (not the event).  Some symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares or other sleep disorders, isolation, or avoidance of certain places or situations.  It can extremely impair normal activities and daily functions.  
​
There is no simple “cure;” however, many can find significant relief from the symptoms through professional mental health treatments.  Experience shows that without therapy and support the condition is unlikely to improve.

Physicians will perform a complete physical exam to rule out any systemic or medical problems that may be contributing to PTSD symptoms. The American Psychiatric Association has established criteria to help determine if an individual is suffering from PTSD.
This criteria includes:

• Direct experience with a traumatic event or personal witness of a traumatic event that happened to another
• Repeated exposure to graphic details of traumatic events.  This occurs in first responders.

The primary treatment is psychotherapy which may be augmented with medication. Therapy sessions help patients manage the symptoms, improve their self image, and develop coping mechanisms if the condition recurs. Therapy can also be used to treat any ancillary problems like misuse of alcohol or periods of depression.

It is important to recognize that the person experiencing PTSD is not alone. The therapist will probably start with  “talk therapy”. This helps the person recognize the patterns that trigger the unwanted feelings including the potential of a recurrence of the event. 

Exposure therapy can use virtual reality to help the individual re-experience their triggering situation in a safe and controlled environment. It is a coping technique that helps with memories as well as physical situations. 

Another valid tool is stress management.  This will help with everyday activities that can be impacted by increasing anxiety.  Relaxation techniques can help distract or calm the mind to reduce the impact of anxiety.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another type of therapy used to focus on the memory rather than the emotions associated with it.  This is a specialized type of therapy requiring a counselor specifically trained in this technique.  

The therapy can be one on one, group therapy, or a combination.

There are also medications that have proven effective depending on the person being treated. This includes antidepressants, anxiolytics, and Prazosin. Before starting any sort of medication, it is critical for you to have a detailed discussion with your psychiatrist.

As with all medications, you should report any unusual changes or suspected side effects. This is sometimes correctable by dosage adjustment or alternative prescriptions.
​
While there is always the possibility that symptoms will resurface, it is certainly possible for an individual to resume a normal life.